PIPEX

PIPEX is a project that involves handling pipes in Unix-like operating systems. The goal of this project is to create a program that replicates the behavior of a specific shell command, allowing users to redirect input/output and chain commands together using pipes.

Description

PIPEX takes two input files and two shell commands as arguments. It then creates a pipeline between the commands, redirecting the input from the first file and outputting the result to the second file. The program behaves similarly to the shell command "< file1 cmd1 | cmd2 > file2".

Features

Handles pipes: PIPEX creates a pipeline between two commands, allowing the output of the first command to serve as input to the second command. Supports input/output redirection: The program takes input from the first file and writes the output to the second file. Error handling: PIPEX thoroughly handles errors and ensures that the program does not quit unexpectedly. It follows the same error handling principles as the shell command it emulates. Memory management: The program ensures that there are no memory leaks, managing memory allocation and deallocation efficiently. Bonus features:

• Multiple pipes: Supports multiple pipes, allowing users to chain multiple commands together.
• Here documents (<< and >>): Supports here documents when the first parameter is "here_doc", allowing users to append output to a file.

Usage

To use PIPEX, run the following command in the terminal:

make

This will compile the program and create an executable file called "pipex". You can then run the program using the following syntax:

./pipex file1 cmd1 cmd2 file2

Replace "file1" with the input file, "cmd1" with the first shell command, "cmd2" with the second shell command, and "file2" with the output file. For example:

./pipex infile "ls -l" "wc -l" outfile

This will create a pipeline between the "ls -l" and "wc -l" commands, redirecting the input from "infile" and writing the output to "outfile".

• file1: Input file name.
• cmd1: First shell command with parameters.
• cmd2: Second shell command with parameters.
• file2: Output file name.

Requirements

• Makefile: Provided Makefile should compile the source files without relinking.
• Error handling: Thorough error handling should be implemented to prevent unexpected program termination.
• Memory management: The program must be free of memory leaks.
• Functionality: The program should replicate the behavior of the shell command < file1 cmd1 | cmd2 > file2.

Bonus Features

• Multiple pipes: The program should support multiple pipes, allowing users to chain multiple commands together.
• Here documents (<< and >>): The program should support here documents when the first parameter is "here_doc", allowing users to append output to a file.

Additional Requirements

• Support multiple pipes:
  • The program should support multiple pipes, allowing users to chain multiple commands together.
  • For example, the following command should be supported: "cmd1 | cmd2 | cmd3".
• Here documents (<< and >>):
  • The program should support here documents when the first parameter is "here_doc".
  • For example, the following command should be supported: "here_doc LIMITER cmd1 | cmd2 >> file".
• Error handling:
  • The program should thoroughly handle errors and ensure that it does not quit unexpectedly.
  • It should follow the same error handling principles as the shell command it emulates.
• Memory management:
  • The program should ensure that there are no memory leaks, managing memory allocation and deallocation efficiently.

Usage

To use PIPEX, run the following command in the terminal:

make

This will compile the program and create an executable file called "pipex". You can then run the program using the following syntax:

./pipex file1 cmd1 cmd2 file2

Replace "file1" with the input file, "cmd1" with the first shell command, "cmd2" with the second shell command, and "file2" with the output file. For example:

./pipex infile "ls -l" "wc -l" outfile

This will create a pipeline between the "ls -l" and "wc -l" commands, redirecting the input from "infile" and writing the output to "outfile".

• file1: Input file name.
• cmd1: First shell command with parameters.
• cmd2: Second shell command with parameters.
• file2: Output file name.

Acknowledgments

• Inspired by the concept of input/output redirection and command execution using pipes in Unix-like systems.