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Catch SIGINT from user in backend C++ code

3 messages · Jewell, Chris, R. Michael Weylandt, Karl Forner

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Hi,

I was wondering if anybody knew how to trap SIGINTs (ie Ctrl-C) in backend C++ code for R extensions?  I'm writing a package that uses the GPU for some hefty matrix operations in a tightly coupled parallel algorithm implemented in CUDA.

The problem is that once running, the C++ module cannot apparently be interrupted by a SIGINT, leaving the user sat waiting even if they realise they've launched the algorithm with incorrect settings.  Occasionally, the SIGINT gets through and the C++ module stops.  However, this leaves the CUDA context hanging, meaning that if the algorithm is launched again R dies.  If I could trap the SIGINT, then I could make sure a) that the algorithm stops immediately, and b) that the CUDA context is destructed nicely.

Is there a "R-standard" method of doing this?

Thanks,

Chris


--
Dr Chris Jewell
Lecturer in Biostatistics
Institute of Fundamental Sciences
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North 4442
New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0) 6 350 5701 Extn: 3586
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On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 12:50 AM, Jewell, Chris <C.P.Jewell at massey.ac.nz> wrote:
I think R_CheckUserInterrupt() might be the right way to go but I
haven't used it much, so not sure if it gives you recovery ability.

Cheers,
Michael
4 days later
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Hello,

I once wrote  a package called RcppProgress, that you can find here:
https://r-forge.r-project.org/R/?group_id=1230
I did not try it for a long time, but it was developed to solve this
exact problem.
You can have a look the its companion package: RcppProgressExample.
Here's a link to the original announcement:
http://tolstoy.newcastle.edu.au/R/e17/devel/12/02/0443.html

Hope it helps.
Karl Forner
Quartz Bio
On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 1:50 AM, Jewell, Chris <C.P.Jewell at massey.ac.nz> wrote: