coproc

Q1: What is coproc in the context of Bash scripting? A1: The coproc keyword in Bash introduces a coprocess, which is a shell command preceded by the coproc keyword. A coprocess is essentially another Bash process that runs concurrently with the original (parent) Bash script. It allows you to execute a command or script in the background while continuing the execution of the main script. This is ideal for situations where you need two scripts to communicate or share data asynchronously. Q2: How does coproc help in sharing file descriptors? A2: When you create a coprocess in Bash, it automatically sets up a two-way communication path between the parent process and the coprocess.

In the world of Linux Bash scripting, managing processes efficiently can greatly enhance the functionality and responsiveness of scripts. One less commonly known yet powerful feature is coproc, which allows for bidirectional communication with subprocesses. Below, we delve into some common questions regarding coproc and explore its practical applications. coproc is a keyword introduced in Bash version 4.0. It allows you to create a coprocess, that is, to start a subprocess that your script can then communicate with via two file descriptors: one for input and another for output. This facilitates bidirectional communication between your main script and the subprocess.