if ($pid = fork) { ...parent process ... }
else { ... child process ... }

I found a link about 'fork': [oreilly.com...]

I run that example in Unix, and it works (run child process in background).

But when I run it in Browser, it doesnot work. Browser (firefox) keeps on loading until child process finished, although we can close browser.

Form.html: where user fills information.
Sample.cgi: get information from Form.html
Job.pl: use infromation to execute some tasks (but it takes some time)

What I wanted is:
load Sample.cgi and tell user, job is running and email will be sent out when done.

Job.pl will be run on background.

Problem: Sample.cgi keeps on loading until Job.pl finished, although you can forcedly close Sample.cgi.

Solution:?

Many thanks!

sample.cgi does some stuff
print "You will recieve an email shortly";
exec(job.pl);

that should do it. When you run a program from the exec() function the current script is replaced by the new one and the old script is exited. job.pl runs and sends an email when finished.