How to allow only one instance of my C++ application

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Hi,

I'm developing an C++ application for windows and this application must prevent to run more than one time in the same machine.

I want to know what ware the utilized methods to check if the application is already running, so that I can check and if one instance of this application is already running I can launch a message to the user and abort the application start.

The only thing that occurred me now is to create a flag in the windows registry, and check that flag at the beginning of the code however I could ear some experts advise.

I hope you can help,
Tanks,

Filipe

Posted 6-Apr-10 3:30am

Apstolo

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CPallini · Accepted Answer · 2010-04-06T03:38:00

Solution 1

See the Joseph M. Newcomer's article: "Avoiding Multiple Instances of an Application".
:)

Posted 6-Apr-10 3:38am

CPallini

Eugen Podsypalnikov · Accepted Answer · 2010-04-06T03:44:00

I would iterate the all processes
to try to find a running instance of a process :)

Enumerating processes : A practical approach[^]

(the mutex technique could be not enough exception-secure... :) )

[Edit]
There is a drawback: the user may use a different name for your program, and -also- the user may name another program the same as yours.
Process names are not granted to be unique.
The mutex technique is the only one that has a proper chance.
It can be exception-secure, if you manage the mutex properly.
[/Edit]

[OK]
Process names are not granted to be unique,
but their full-pathed names... :)
[/OK]