[This question is for UNIX/Linux users.] Create an output filter that performs word wrap- ping. If a line is longer than a certain number of characters, split the line over multiple lines. The num- ber of characters per line should be indicated in the command line. The program should read in keyboard input from the user, and format that input as specified, placing the result in file.txt.

Question

Implement this using pipes and fork functions (child gets input from user, parent performs the fil- tering).

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

```
#!/usr/local/bin/python

import os
import sys

# open parent and child read/write pipes
parentReadPipe, childWritePipe = os.pipe()

pid = os.fork() # fork child

if pid == 0: # child

# close unneeded pipe
os.close( parentReadPipe )

userInput = raw_input( "Please enter lines of text: " )
while userInput != "":
os.write( childWritePipe, userInput )
userInput = raw_input()

# close pipes
os.close( childWritePipe )

# exit
sys.exit( 0 )

elif pid != 0: # parent

# close unneeded pipe
os.close( childWritePipe )

# open file
try:
file = open( "file.txt", "w" ) # open file in write mode
except IOError, message: # file open failed
print >> sys.stderr, "File could not be opened:", message
sys.exit( 1 )

if len( sys.argv ) == 1:
print "No wrap size specified, reverting to 42"
wrap = 42
else:
wrap = int( sys.argv[ 1 ] )

# read value from child Read pipe
currentLine = os.read( parentReadPipe, wrap )

while currentLine:
print >> file, currentLine
currentLine = os.read( parentReadPipe, wrap )

# close pipes
os.close( parentReadPipe )
file.close()
else:
sys.exit( "Could not fork" )
```
Please enter lines of text: One two three four five
six seven eight nine ten
eleven twelve thirteen
---Contents of file.txt---
One two th
ree four f
ive
six seven
eight nine
ten
eleven twe
lve thirte
en