Re: linux: detect application crash

[Robert Hancock <hancockr@shaw.ca>]

Allison wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Several times when I worked with Windows, I have had a scenario when I
> am editing a file and saved some time ago and then the application
> crashes and I lose all recent data.
> 
> Can the operating system detect all application crashes ? If so, why
> can't the OS save the user data to disk before the application quits ?
> 
> How does this work in Linux. I was curious if such a functionality
> already exists in Linux. If not, what are the issues involved in
> implementing this functionality.

The OS doesn't have enough information to be able to save the app's data 
in the event of a crash in a form that would be usable or meaningful, 
since only the app knows what format its data structures are in.

The app itself could do this (installing a signal handler for segfaults, 
etc.) but the problem is that whatever caused the program to crash may 
have also left its data in a messed-up state.

-- 
Robert Hancock      Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from hancockr@nospamshaw.ca
Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/