FLOG(1)                                                   FLOG(1)


NAME
       flog -- speed up a process

SYNOPSIS
       flog [-l n] [-a m] [-u] process-id

DESCRIPTION
       Flog  is  used  to stimulate an improvement in the perfor-
       mance of a process that is already in execution.  The pro-
       cess-id is the process number of the process that is to be
       disciplined.

       The value n of the -l flag is the  flagellation  constant,
       i.e.,  the number of lashes to be administered per minute.
       If this argument is omitted, the default is 17,  which  is
       the most random random number.

       The  value  m  of  the  -a flag is the number of times the
       inducement to speed up is to  be  administered.   If  this
       argument is omitted, the default is one, which is based on
       the possibility that after that the process  will  rectify
       its behavior of its own volition.

       The  presence  of the -u flag indicates that flog is to be
       unmerciful in its actions.  This nullifies the effects  of
       the  other  keyletter  arguments.   It is recommended that
       this option be used only on extremely stubborn  processes,
       as its over-use may have detrimental effects.

FILES
       Flog will read the file /have/mercy for any entry contain-
       ing the process-id of the process being  speeded-up.   The
       file  can contain whatever supplications are deemed neces-
       sary, but, of course, these will be ignored if the -u flag
       is supplied.

SEE ALSO
       On  Improving Process Performance by the Administration of
       Corrective Stimulation, CACM , vol. 4, 1657, pp.  356-654.

DIAGNOSTICS
       If  a  named  process  does not exist, flog replies ``flog
       you'' on the standard output.  If flog happens to  kill(2)
       the  process,  which usually happens when the -u keyletter
       argument is supplied, it writes ``RIP,'' followed  by  the
       process-id of the deceased, on the standard output.

BUGS
       Spurious  supplications  for  mercy  by  the process being
       flogged sometimes wind up on the standard  output,  rather
       than in /shut/up.






                                                                1