[Kevin Dempsey: Problems w/Informix ESQL and UNIX sleep() function.]

Can we help this fellow with his problem? Since he is obviously not a subscriber perhaps responses should go to him. Thanks. Date: Mon, 13 Jan 92 15:28:10 GMT From: Kevin Dempsey <dempsey@worms-emh2.army.mil> Subject: Problems w/Informix ESQL and UNIX sleep() function. 13 January 1992 NOTE TO: UNIXTIE From: Kevin Dempsey, Worms Germany Problem Descriptions: 1. An ESQL-compiled program (Informix Ver 4.0) does not allow use of some UNIX system and subroutine calls (Unix System V, Release 3.2.2.19) that utilize interrupts. a. Attempts to use the UNIX subroutine call 'sleep(sec)' results in a process terminating error which gives the message: "Illegal instruction - core dumped". The ESQL program compiles properly with the 'sleep(sec)' function included but the program blows up when the interrupt-driven 'sleep(sec)' process is activated. Also, the program does not compile when the system call 'alarm(sec)' is included. An error message: "illegal function" is shown upon compilation attempts. These errors do not occur in our other C programs compiled with 'cc' (not with 'esql') that utilize 'sleep(sec)' and 'alarm(sec)'. The ESQL compilation command being used is: $ esql -o executable_name program_name.ec -lcurses -ltermlib b. Because this application program is used as a non-stop continuously running process, we need to have a way to put this process to sleep occasionally in order to reduce processor load. The only function we have found to work with ESQL is a Curses function called 'delay_output(msec)'. It only works because the 'delay_output(msec)' function uses padding characters rather than processor interrupts. Obviously, this will not help us for any programs not using Curses for screen displays. We should be able to use all standard UNIX system and subroutine calls in a C with embedded-SQL program. 2. The Curses function call 'napms(ms)' does not work on the version of curses on the AT&T 3b2 (Ver 3.2.2.19). The program compiles and runs but the function call is simply ignored. 3. Would appreciate any help you could provide. Until we can get our System maintenance started, AT&T shows only a little interest but very little!