Find path of python program in execution

Question

In my terminal, I can see a python program in execution:

python3 app.py

where can I find app.py?

I've tried to look in the /proc/$pid/exe but links to the python interpreter.

I have many app.py programs in my system, I want to find out exactly which is in execution with that pid.

where is your app.py file ? go there and run python3 app.py — Druta Ruslan
– Druta Ruslan, Commented May 23, 2018 at 13:46
@zimdero this is my actual question. How can I find this app.py file? — Federico Ponzi
– Federico Ponzi, Commented May 23, 2018 at 13:46
Thanks @0x00, I've also tried updatedb and locate app.py but I've several of them. — Federico Ponzi
– Federico Ponzi, Commented May 23, 2018 at 13:48

hiro protagonist · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-23 14:00:59Z

3

i ran a short test on my machine and came up with this... maybe it helps:

find the process id PID of the job in question:

$ ps -u $USER -o pid,cmd | grep app.py

the PID will be in the first column. assign this number to the variable PID.
find the current working directory of that job:

$ ls -l /proc/$PID/cwd

(for more info: cat $ cat /proc/$PID/environ)

your app.py file will be in this directory.

edited May 23, 2018 at 14:00

answered May 23, 2018 at 13:54

hiro protagonist

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2 Comments

Thomas Over a year ago

I think (but didn't check) that environ will contain PWD as it was when the process was launched, whereas cwd would reflect the current working directory, which can change if the script executes chdir.

Federico Ponzi Over a year ago

Hello there! Environ hadn't the PWD variable in it, and had apparently no helpful informations. I've found out that the program was in a docker contianer, by check the CWD file, that stated that the cwd was /app that obviously, wasn't in my root. Thanks a lot!

nandal · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-23 13:52:03Z

2

check the file

/proc/[PID]/environ

There is PWD variable contains full path of the directory containing the executable file.

answered May 23, 2018 at 13:52

nandal

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2 Comments

Federico Ponzi Over a year ago

Thanks, but apparently there is no PWD directory in there.

nandal Over a year ago

it's variable in /proc/[PID]/environ file

Pitto · Accepted Answer · 2018-05-23 18:45:14Z

0

If you are on Mac Os X please try using:

sudo find / -type f -fstype local -iname "app.py"

If you are not on Mac Os X you can use:

sudo find / -mount -type f -iname "app.py"

The find command will start from your root folder and search recursively for all the files called "app.py" (case insensitive).

edited May 23, 2018 at 18:45

answered May 23, 2018 at 13:52

Pitto

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3 Comments

Andrejs Cainikovs Over a year ago

I do not recommend doing this. Although this solution might look simpler, it will scan your entire filesystem. And if you have mounted some remote shares, running this command will take extra long time to complete, stressing your hard drive, network, and your patience.

Andrejs Cainikovs Over a year ago

Your update is wrong. local is not a valid file system type.

Pitto Over a year ago

Correct, it is only valid on Mac. Added also GNU find details. @AndrejsCainikovs

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