ECET360 Lab 2
Process Simulation

Name: ______________________ Date: ___________
1. Objectives
• To learn how to use NetBean IDE to create, built and debug a C/C++ program.
• To learn how to apply fork(), getpid(), getppid(), pipe(), read() , write(), close() and exit().
• To gain understanding of inter-process communication.
2. Software Installation
In this lab, you will need to download two free (yet sophisticated) application programs: NetBean IDE 8.2 and Cygwin. During installation, please use correct .exe files depending on if your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Step 1. Install NetBean IDE 8.2 from:
https://netbeans.org/downloads/
Follow the instructions from:
https://netbeans.org/community/releases/80/cpp-setup-instructions.html#downloading
Pay careful attention to the instructions after the following line on the above website page:
To install the GNU gcc and g++ compilers, make, and gdb debugger from cygwin.com:
Step 2. Install cygwin, go to https://cygwin.com/. Keep consistency, use either 64-bit or 32-bit depending on your Windows.
Step 3. Watch the following YouTube video, so that you know how to add the path.

Try a simple project such as HelloWorld first.
When debugging the project (Debug -> Debug Project HelloWorld ), you may encounter the pop up window asking for additional paths. In this window, next to debug, add C:\cygwin64\bin\gdb.exe and next to make, add C:\cygwin64\bin\make.exe. This is to include all the necessary build and debug applications. Then, click on OK.
2. Procedures
1) Simulate Process Creation
a. Write a C/C++ program to create a child process. Your program should have the following components:
• Display a message to indicate the start of the program
• Make a system call fork() to create a child process
• Use if…else if…else (or switch…case) to determine if the process is created successfully or failed. If successful, print the parent or child process and its ID (getpid() for child process, getppid() for parent) accordingly; if failed, display a message to indicate that it failed.
• Before return 0 in the main, display a message to inform that the program has ended.
b. Built (use F11 or Run -> Build Project) and debug (Ctrl+F5 or Debug -> Debug Project) the program. Copy the source file below. (10 pts)

c. Run it for at least three times. Use Snipping Tool to crop each output and paste below. Explain the results. (10 pts)

2) Simulate Inter-process Communication
a. Write a C/C++ program to simulate the inter-process communication between a child process and a parent process. You need to modify the program you wrote in the procedure 1). In your program:
• First, use pipe() to generate a buffer. The pipe should return a status (int), which should be tested to see if it is successful. If not, print error message.
• Create a child process.
• If the process creation is successful, send a short message (a character string) from child process by using write() to the pipe. In the parent process, use read() to receive the string from the child.
• In each process, display a proper message to show the sending and receiving. A sample output could be:

• In both processes, take caution where to use close().

b. Built and debug the program. Copy the source file below. (20 pts)

c. Run the program and paste the output below. (5 pts)

d. Explain how your part 2) program works in five to eight sentences. (5 pts)