A cross-platform C/C++ library for starting, stopping, and communicating with external programs via their standard streams.
reproc is a cross-platform C/C++ library designed to simplify starting, stopping, and communicating with external programs. It allows developers to execute command-line applications directly from their code and retrieve output, solving the problem of managing child processes across different operating systems.
C and C++ developers who need to run and interact with external processes in cross-platform applications, such as those building automation tools, build systems, or system utilities.
Developers choose reproc for its clean, cross-platform API that abstracts away OS-specific process handling, its dual C/C++ library support, and its focus on reliability and ease of integration into existing projects.
A cross-platform (C99/C++11) process library
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Abstracts away OS-specific complexities like signal handling on POSIX and socket usage on Windows, providing a unified API for process management across platforms.
Offers both a C99 library (reproc) and a C++11 wrapper (reproc++) with idiomatic APIs, making it versatile for C and C++ projects with added features in C++.
Includes functions for starting, stopping (with terminate and kill options), and communicating via standard streams, as shown in the reproc_run example for basic execution.
Supports multiple installation methods, such as CMake FetchContent, git submodules, or system packages via AUR and vcpkg, easing adoption into various build systems.
Requires CMake 3.12+ and involves setting numerous CMake options, which can be tedious and error-prone for developers unfamiliar with modern CMake practices.
The library is not fully thread-safe; simultaneous operations on the same child process from multiple threads can cause issues, restricting use in highly concurrent applications.
Admits limitations such as reproc_kill not guaranteeing immediate termination and inability to detect stdout/stderr closures before process exit on Windows, affecting reliability.
Primary documentation is embedded in header files, with examples in subdirectories, requiring extra effort to navigate compared to comprehensive online tutorials or guides.