forktest.c

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main(int argc, char** argv)
{
    int forkCount;   // will come from argv[1]
    int pid = 0;     // forked pid
    int mypid = 0;   // forked pid
    int isChild = 0; // duh.
    int i;           // counter

    if (argc < 1)
    {
        printf("ERROR: no amount of forks specified\n");
        return 1;
    }

    forkCount = atoi(argv[1]);

    if (forkCount == 0)
    {
        printf("ERROR: zero (or invalid) amount of forks specified\n");
        return 1;
    }

    printf("fork pids: ");
    for (i = 0; i < forkCount; i++)
    {
        pid = fork();
        if (pid == 0)
        {
            isChild = 1;
            break;
        }
        else
        {
            printf("%d:%d  ", i, pid);
        }
    }

    if (isChild)
    {
        while (1)
        {
            sleep(1);
        }
    }
    else
    {
        printf("\n");
    }
}