NAME

   flog - speed up a process
   
SYNOPSIS

   flog [-l n] [-a m] [-u] process-id
   
DESCRIPTION

   Flog is used to stimulate an improvement in the performance of a
   process that is already in execution. The process-id is the process
   number of the process that is to be disciplined.
   
   The value n of the -l flag is the flagellation constant, i.e., the
   number of lashes to be administered per minute. If this argument is
   omitted, the default is 17, which is the most random random number.
   
   The value m of the -a flag is the number of times the inducement to
   speed up is to be administered. If this argument is omitted, the
   default is one, which is based on the possibility that after that the
   process will rectify its behavior of its own volition.
   
   The presence of the -u flag indicates that flog is to be unmerciful in
   its actions. This nullifies the effects of the other keyletter
   arguments. It is recommended that this option be used only on
   extremely stubborn processes, as its over-use may have detrimental
   effects.
   
FILES

   Flog will read the file /have/mercy for any entry containing the
   process-id of the process being speeded-up. The file can contain
   whatever supplications are deemed necessary, but, of course, these
   will be ignored if the -u flag is supplied.
   
SEE ALSO

   On Improving Process Performance by the Administration of Corrective
   Stimulation, CACM , vol. 4, 1657, pp. 356-654.
   
DIAGNOSTICS

   If a named process does not exist, flog replies ``flog you'' on the
   standard output. If flog happens to kill(2) the process, which usually
   happens when the -u keyletter argument is supplied, it writes ``RIP,''
   followed by the process-id of the deceased, on the standard output.
   
BUGS

   Spurious supplications for mercy by the process being flogged
   sometimes wind up on the standard output, rather than in /shut/up.