python / python/cpython

Multiprocessing exitcode=None after join

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stdlib topic-multiprocessing type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug report

Bug description:

I sometimes observe exitcode=None after joining a process.

import multiprocessing as mp
import sys
import threading

sys.setswitchinterval(1e-6)
ctx = mp.get_context("fork")
failures = []

def lifecycle(n_iters=100, n_procs=4):
    for _ in range(n_iters):
        ps = [ctx.Process(target=int, daemon=True) for _ in range(n_procs)]
        for p in ps: 
            p.start()
        for p in ps:
            p.join()
            if p.exitcode is None: 
                failures.append(p.pid)

ts = [threading.Thread(target=lifecycle) for _ in range(2)]
for t in ts: 
    t.start()
for t in ts: 
    t.join()
print(f"{len(failures)}/{2*100*4} had exitcode=None after join()")
CPython versions tested on:

3.13

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Linked PRs
  • gh-150360

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First steps

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by running the supplied Linux Python 3.13 reproducer, focusing on multiprocessing with the fork context and concurrent lifecycle calls. Review linked PR gh-150360 and verify that joining a process consistently yields a non-None exitcode without regressing the threaded case.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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