When running a Python script as a daemon, it can be useful to change the process name to something more descriptive. This can make it easier to identify the script when viewing the process list. In this article, we will explore three different ways to change the process name when running Python as a daemon.

Option 1: Using the setproctitle module

The setproctitle module provides a simple way to change the process name in Python. To use this module, you will need to install it first by running the following command:

pip install setproctitle

Once the module is installed, you can use it in your Python script to change the process name. Here is an example:

import setproctitle

setproctitle.setproctitle("My Daemon")

# Rest of your daemon code goes here...

This will change the process name to “My Daemon”. You can replace this with any name you prefer.

Option 2: Using the prctl module

The prctl module provides another way to change the process name in Python. Similar to the setproctitle module, you will need to install it first by running the following command:

pip install python-prctl

Once the module is installed, you can use it in your Python script to change the process name. Here is an example:

import prctl

prctl.set_name("My Daemon")

# Rest of your daemon code goes here...

This will change the process name to “My Daemon”. Again, you can replace this with any name you prefer.

Option 3: Using the ctypes module

If you prefer to avoid installing additional modules, you can use the ctypes module to change the process name. Here is an example:

import ctypes

libc = ctypes.CDLL(None)
libc.prctl(15, "My Daemon", 0, 0, 0)

# Rest of your daemon code goes here...

This will also change the process name to “My Daemon”.

After exploring these three options, it is clear that using the setproctitle module is the best choice. It provides a simple and straightforward way to change the process name in Python, without the need for additional dependencies. Additionally, it is widely used and well-maintained, making it a reliable option for changing the process name when running Python as a daemon.