Socket recv(1) seems to block instead of returning end of file.

[Dan Stromberg - Datallegro]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:54:01 +0200, Hendrik van Rooyen wrote:

> 
> While doing a netstring implementation I noticed that if you
> build a record up using socket's recv(1), then when you close
> the remote end down, the recv(1) hangs, despite having a short
> time out of  0.1 set.
> 
> If however, you try to receive more than one char, (I tested with 3,
> did not try 2), then when you shut the remote end down you do not
> get a time out, but an empty string - the normal end of file, I suppose.
> 
> Has anybody else seen this behaviour?
> 
> The transmit side seems to give a broken pipe error, which is fine.
> 
> I am using stock standard SuSe 10, Python 2.4, out of the box.
> 
> - Hendrik

Are you using sock.settimeout()?

I've always done timed-out sockets in python using select; IINM, the
settimeout method is a new addition.

I agree with Grant though - posting a minimal snippet of code that
replicates the problem would help us help you.  In fact, it might help you
help yourself :)