The files here are sample code for learning about, and playing with, fork().
Some of the programs also use wait().

The progams are:

forktest.c - simple forking program

forkandsleep.c - one fork, but now we specify which process finishes first
                 (one sleeps for one second).

forkandwait.c - parent calls wait and prints out status information.

offtotheraces.c - parent starts a bunch of children, waits for them and
                  determines who was last man standing (last to exit).


There is a Makefile included - all you need to do is put all these
files in a directory and type "make" (the default rule is "all" which
makes all the executables.) Some require command line options or input
from stdin - they will tell you what they want when you run  them 
(also described in the code).

offtotheraces.c has a few suggestions on some experiments you can run
to see if you can control the "randomness" of the winning process
(is the last one started always the last one to finish?, etc.). Play!

You can grab all the files by getting all.zip. to unzip this on a Unix
machine, just type this: "unzip all.zip".