Using python to check the status of a program

[The Jetman]

Kamuela Franco <kamuelaf at verizon.net> wrote in message news:<pan.2003.12.27.10.53.23.520358 at verizon.net>...
> I would like to use a Python script to periodically check to see if a
> program is still running and if it isn't I want to start it up.  Could
> someone point me on the right path?  Thanks in advance.
> 
> Kamuela

1st, which OS are we talking about ?  *IF* we're talking about 
Linux/Unix/FreeBSD, then it only takes a few lines:
  import os
  import string
  f = os.popen( 'ps -ax' )
  s = f.readlines()
  if string.find( s, 'target_pgm' ) > -1:
      ####  we found it, so do something....

If we're talking about Windows, then this would work using the 
Cygwin utils for ps or one could try Pythonwin.  Mark has ported 
many Windows APIs, so it would be a little more involved, but 
straight-fwd.  HTH....Jet