How do I execute a shell-command in background?

Question

Here's a simple defun to run a shell script:

(defun bk-konsoles ()
  "Calls: bk-konsoles.bash"
  (interactive)
  (shell-command (concat (expand-file-name "~/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash ")
                         (if (buffer-file-name) 
                             (file-name-directory (buffer-file-name)))
                         " &") 
                  nil nil))

If I start a program with no ampersand - it start the script, but blocks emacs until I close the program, if I don't put ampersand it gives error:

/home/boris/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash /home/boris/scl/geekgeek/: exited abnormally with code 1.

Edit:

So now I'm using:

(defun bk-konsoles ()
  "Calls: bk-konsoles.bash"
  (interactive)
  (shell-command (concat (expand-file-name "~/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash ") 
                         (if (buffer-file-name) 
                             (file-name-directory (buffer-file-name))) 
                         " & disown") 
                 nil nil)
  (kill-buffer "*Shell Command Output*"))

Edit 2:

Nope - doesn't work:

(defun bk-konsoles ()
  "Calls: bk-konsoles.bash"
  (interactive)
  (let ((curDir default-directory))
    ;; (shell-command (concat "nohup " (expand-file-name "~/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash ") curDir) nil nil)
    (shell-command (concat (expand-file-name "~/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash ") 
                           curDir "& disown") nil nil)
    (kill-buffer "*Shell Command Output*")))

keeps emacs busy - either with disown, or nohup.

Here's a script I'm running if it might be of help: bk-konsoles.bash

@kindahero - async-shell-command just adds the ampersand behind the scenes if one isn't present. If that worked, then what he has posted would also work. — Inaimathi
– Inaimathi, Commented May 26, 2012 at 15:31
@Daimrod: your-command & diswon solves it! Please make it an answer - so I can accept it. — Adobe
– Adobe, Commented May 26, 2012 at 17:49
I think the problem is konsole. (shell-command "x-term &") does what you expect, but (shell-command "konsole &") opens and closes konsole immediately. Something about the way konsole is started seems to be causing the problem. — Tyler
– Tyler, Commented Jun 4, 2012 at 17:42

Tyler · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-05 13:47:48Z

4

+100

I think the problem is konsole.

(shell-command "xterm &")

does what you expect, opening an xterm in a new window and returning control to Emacs. However,

(shell-command "konsole &")

opens and closes konsole immediately. Something about the way konsole is started seems to be causing the problem. I think KDE apps have their own system for launching apps, but I'm not sure. In any case, I don't think the problem is on the Emacs side here.

answered Jun 5, 2012 at 13:47

Tyler

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1 Comment

Daniel Viglione Over a year ago

Just as a side note, I came here because I simply wanted to run an interactive shell within an emacs buffer window, and perhaps others will simply want to do the same, and it's pretty straight forward on a GNU Emacs install on a Debian box: "M-x term" where M is the alt key. This will run a subshell with input and output through an Emacs buffer. You can then give commands interactively. Full terminal emulation is available.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-04-13 12:36:27Z

2

You can either use nohup or disown like this:

$ your_command & disown
$ nohup your_command

See this post on stackexchange for a description of the difference.

edited Apr 13, 2017 at 12:36

CommunityBot

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answered May 27, 2012 at 8:54

Daimrod

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1 Comment

Adobe Over a year ago

Cool! Take a look at the continuation of this question.

Adobe · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-05 10:37:46Z

0

Oh I solved it:

(shell-command (concat (expand-file-name "~/its/plts/goodies/bk-konsoles.bash ")
                curDir " 2>&1 > /dev/null & disown") nil nil)

and I also call konsole with 2>&1 > /dev/null & in my bash script. Works silently!

answered Jun 5, 2012 at 10:37

Adobe

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