# orca.proc

> A module of Orca's API.

Starting processes: what the scheduler needs to run pipeline binaries.

`spawn` forks and executes a binary without waiting for it, its output
appended to a log file if one is given; `reap` collects the ones that ended.
`capture` runs a command to the end and returns what it printed. Everything a
child needs is prepared before `fork`, so the child calls only `fopen`,
`dup2`, `execv` and `_exit`.

## Functions

### `spawn`

```mojo
def spawn(argv: List[String], log: String = "") -> Int
```

Starts `argv[0]` (a path) with arguments `argv`, and returns its pid. Its stdout and stderr are appended to `log`, if given, else shared with this process.

### `reap`

```mojo
def reap() -> List[Tuple[Int, Int]]
```

The children that ended, as (pid, exit code), without waiting; a child killed by a signal has code 128 + the signal.

### `capture`

```mojo
def capture(argv: List[String]) -> Tuple[Int, String]
```

Runs `argv` to the end through the shell and returns its exit code and standard output.

### `absolute`

```mojo
def absolute(path: String) -> String
```

`path`, made absolute against the working directory.