Timeout at command prompt

[Thierry Lam]

I can use the python function raw_input() to read any input from the
user but how can I add a timeout so that my program exits after x
period of time when no input has been entered.

Thierry

[Amit Khemka]

One way would be to use 'signal' s ... something like this should work

import signal
TIMEOUT = 5 # number of seconds your want for timeout
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, input)
signal.alarm(TIMEOUT)

def input():
try:
foo = raw_input()
return foo
except:
# timeout
return
cheers,
amit.

On 11 Jan 2006 13:24:34 -0800, Thierry Lam <la********@gmail.com> wrote:

I can use the python function raw_input() to read any input from the
user but how can I add a timeout so that my program exits after x
period of time when no input has been entered.

Thierry

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--
----
Endless the world's turn, endless the sun's spinning
Endless the quest;
I turn again, back to my own beginning,
And here, find rest.

[Thierry Lam]

Which Python version are you using? I'm getting the following error
with Python 2.3.4:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\home\pciroot\vcur\sdk\tools\inter.py", line 32, in ?
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, input)
AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute 'SIGALRM'
Thierry

[Thierry Lam]

Is there a windows equivalent for that solution?

[Amit Khemka]

its "Python 2.4.1" .. on linux

On 12 Jan 2006 06:34:08 -0800, Thierry Lam <la********@gmail.com> wrote:

Is there a windows equivalent for that solution?

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--
----
Endless the world's turn, endless the sun's spinning
Endless the quest;
I turn again, back to my own beginning,
And here, find rest.

[Paul Rubin]

Amit Khemka <kh********@gmail.com> writes:

import signal
TIMEOUT = 5 # number of seconds your want for timeout
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, input)
signal.alarm(TIMEOUT)

def input():
try:
foo = raw_input()
return foo
except:
# timeout
return

This doesn't work with raw_input under linux, maybe because the
readline lib is snagging the timer interrupt or something. Use
sys.stdin.readline instead. SF bug:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index...70&atid=105470

[Amit Khemka]

I tried it on "Python 2.4.1" on '2.6.11-1.1369_FC4smp with gcc version
4.0.0' .. which works fine .. may be it could be an issue with some
other combinations ..

cheers,
amit

On 12 Jan 2006 07:35:57 -0800, Paul Rubin
<"http://phr.cx"@nospam.invalid> wrote:

Amit Khemka <kh********@gmail.com> writes:

import signal
TIMEOUT = 5 # number of seconds your want for timeout
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, input)
signal.alarm(TIMEOUT)

def input():
try:
foo = raw_input()
return foo
except:
# timeout
return

This doesn't work with raw_input under linux, maybe because the
readline lib is snagging the timer interrupt or something. Use
sys.stdin.readline instead. SF bug:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index...70&atid=105470
--
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

--
----
Endless the world's turn, endless the sun's spinning
Endless the quest;
I turn again, back to my own beginning,
And here, find rest.

[Amit Khemka]

Another thing that can be tried is:

import threading
a=""
def input():
global a
a = raw_input()
T = threading.Thread(target=input)
T.start()
T.join(2) ## does the trick
...

I have not tested it but i guess should work.

cheers,
amit.

On 1/12/06, Amit Khemka <kh********@gmail.com> wrote:

I tried it on "Python 2.4.1" on '2.6.11-1.1369_FC4smp with gcc version
4.0.0' .. which works fine .. may be it could be an issue with some
other combinations ..

cheers,
amit

On 12 Jan 2006 07:35:57 -0800, Paul Rubin
<"http://phr.cx"@nospam.invalid> wrote:

Amit Khemka <kh********@gmail.com> writes:

import signal
TIMEOUT = 5 # number of seconds your want for timeout
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, input)
signal.alarm(TIMEOUT)

def input():
try:
foo = raw_input()
return foo
except:
# timeout
return

This doesn't work with raw_input under linux, maybe because the
readline lib is snagging the timer interrupt or something. Use
sys.stdin.readline instead. SF bug:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index...70&atid=105470
--
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

--
----
Endless the world's turn, endless the sun's spinning
Endless the quest;
I turn again, back to my own beginning,
And here, find rest.

--
----
Endless the world's turn, endless the sun's spinning
Endless the quest;
I turn again, back to my own beginning,
And here, find rest.

[Thierry Lam]

I got the signal to work on linux with sys.stdin.readline() but the
process timeout after x seconds even when I input something. Is there
a way to close the signal after getting a correct input from the
console window?

Thanks
Thierry