GETPID(2) | System Calls Manual | GETPID(2)

# NAME

`getpid`, `getppid` — get parent or calling process identification

# SYNOPSIS

`#include <unistd.h>`

pid_t
`getpid`(void);

pid_t
`getppid`(void);

# DESCRIPTION

`getpid`() returns the process ID of the calling process. Though the ID is guaranteed to be unique, it should NOT be used for constructing temporary file names; see mkstemp(3) instead.

`getppid`() returns the process ID of the parent of the calling process.

# RETURN VALUES

These functions are always successful, and no return value is reserved to indicate an error.

# SEE ALSO

gethostid(3)

# STANDARDS

`getpid`() and `getppid`() conform to IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”).

# HISTORY

The `getpid`() system call first appeared in Version 5 AT&T UNIX. The `getppid`() function appeared in Version 7 AT&T UNIX/32V.

December 30, 2022 | Debian