[python-win32] fast test if (unknown) process is running ? Why not use Autoit ?

[Stef Mientki]

hello,

I wonder if there's a fast way to test if a process is running.

these are my experiences till so far:

1. win32pdh, not usefull, because it shows ths status of some ancient history

2. wmi, VERY SLOW: 1500 .. 2000 msec
import wmi
w = wmi.WMI()
processes = w.instances('Win32_Process')
instances = []
for process in processes :
if process.Name.lower() == name :
return process.ProcessId

3. Autoit, very fast: 10..20 msec
autoit = win32com.client.Dispatch ( "AutoItX3.Control" )
print autoit.ProcessExists ( process )

Are the better (faster) ways, without the use of AutoIt ?

Now this raises another question (please forgive my ignorance):
Why not use AutoIt always, instead of all the win32 libraries ?
AFAIK, the advantages of AutoIt:
- seems to be very fast
- is very well documented
- can be tested in a AutoIt friendly editor (Scite)
AFAIK the disadvantages:
- when distributing, you must add an extra file

thanks,
Stef Mientki

[Tim Golden]

Post by Stef Mientki
hello,
I wonder if there's a fast way to test if a process is running.
1. win32pdh, not usefull, because it shows ths status of some ancient history
2. wmi, VERY SLOW: 1500 .. 2000 msec
import wmi
w = wmi.WMI()
processes = w.instances('Win32_Process')
instances = []
return process.ProcessId
3. Autoit, very fast: 10..20 msec
autoit = win32com.client.Dispatch ( "AutoItX3.Control" )
print autoit.ProcessExists ( process )
Are the better (faster) ways, without the use of AutoIt ?
Why not use AutoIt always, instead of all the win32 libraries ?
- seems to be very fast
- is very well documented
- can be tested in a AutoIt friendly editor (Scite)
- when distributing, you must add an extra file

Try psutil (which uses the toolhelp DLL):

http://code.google.com/p/psutil/

<code>
import psutil

for p in psutil.process_iter ():
if p.name == "blah":
print p
break
else:
print "Not found"

</code>

TJG

[Stef Mientki]

thanks Tim,

Post by Tim Golden
<snip
http://code.google.com/p/psutil/
<code>
import psutil
print p
break
print "Not found"
</code>

yes that works quit well, just a little bit slower than AutoIt:
AutoIt: 0 .. 15 msec
psutils: 40 ..50 msec

thanks,
Stef Mientki

Post by Tim Golden
TJG
_______________________________________________
python-win32 mailing list
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-win32

[sharpblade]

You are not using the WMI efficiently. You iterate over every process to

Post by Stef Mientki

Post by Tim Golden

Post by Stef Mientki
import wmi
x = wmi.WMI()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")

[<_wmi_object: \\TOM-PC\root\cimv2:Win32_Process.Handle="7052">]
t1 = time.time()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")
print time.time()-t1

Post by Stef Mientki

Post by Tim Golden

Post by Stef Mientki
import time
test()

0.0829999446869
You can further reduce load times by requesting less data from WMI, i.e
t1 = time.time()
x.query("SELECT Handle FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")
print time.time()-t1

Post by Stef Mientki

Post by Tim Golden

Post by Stef Mientki
test()

0.0599999427795

Post by Stef Mientki
thanks Tim,

Post by Tim Golden
<snip
http://code.google.com/p/psutil/
<code>
import psutil
print p
break
print "Not found"
</code>

AutoIt: 0 .. 15 msec
psutils: 40 ..50 msec
thanks,
Stef Mientki

Post by Tim Golden
TJG
_______________________________________________
python-win32 mailing list
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-win32

_______________________________________________
python-win32 mailing list
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-win32

[Stef Mientki]

thanks,

You are not using the WMI efficiently. You iterate over every process to test if only one is

Post by Stef Mientki
import wmi
x = wmi.WMI()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")

[<_wmi_object: \\TOM-PC\root\cimv2:Win32_Process.Handle="7052">]
t1 = time.time()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")
print time.time()-t1

Post by Stef Mientki
import time
test()

0.0829999446869

but that looks quit more complicated than psutils,
besides that I believe that psutils is platform independant.

cheers,
Stef

[Tim Golden]

Post by Stef Mientki
thanks,

You are not using the WMI efficiently. You iterate over every process to test if only one is

Post by Stef Mientki
import wmi
x = wmi.WMI()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")

[<_wmi_object: \\TOM-PC\root\cimv2:Win32_Process.Handle="7052">]
t1 = time.time()
x.query("SELECT * FROM Win32_Process WHERE Name = 'xchat.exe'")
print time.time()-t1

Post by Stef Mientki
import time
test()

0.0829999446869

but that looks quit more complicated than psutils,
besides that I believe that psutils is platform independant.

Well, just to phrase is slightly differently:

<code>
import wmi

c = wmi.WMI ()
for p in c.Win32_Process (Name="xchat.exe"):
print p
break
else:
print "Not found"

</code>

TJG

[Stef Mientki]

thanks Tim,

Post by sharpblade

Post by Stef Mientki
but that looks quit more complicated than psutils,
besides that I believe that psutils is platform independant.

0.0829999446869
<code>
import wmi
c = wmi.WMI ()
print p
break
print "Not found"
</code>

that looks much better,
but still windows only ;-)

cheers,
Stef

Post by sharpblade
TJG

[Dahlstrom, Roger]

Python-Win32...
As in win32
As in windows...

:-)




----- Original Message -----
From: python-win32-bounces+rdahlstrom=***@python.org <python-win32-bounces+rdahlstrom=***@python.org>
Cc: python-***@python.org <python-***@python.org>
Sent: Fri Aug 06 18:34:55 2010
Subject: Re: [python-win32] fast test if (unknown) process is running ? Why not use Autoit ?

thanks Tim,

Post by sharpblade

Post by Stef Mientki
but that looks quit more complicated than psutils,
besides that I believe that psutils is platform independant.

0.0829999446869
<code>
import wmi
c = wmi.WMI ()
print p
break
print "Not found"
</code>

that looks much better,
but still windows only ;-)

cheers,
Stef

Post by sharpblade
TJG

_______________________________________________
python-win32 mailing list
python-***@python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-win32


DISCLAIMER:
This e-mail, and any attachments thereto, is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this in error, please immediately notify me and permanently delete the original and any copy of any e-mail and any printout thereof. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. Direct Edge may, at its discretion, monitor and review the content of all e-mail communications.