How to run a command after a certain time while another command is running?

Question

I have a bash script which will be running a main command, let's say for one hour. I would like to execute another command after a certain time since the main command has been started (at t_x). Something like this:

main starts -------> main ends | | at time t_x, second command is executed

At the moment I have something like this:

mpirun main_command & sleep 1m && second_command

and the problem is that after second command is executed, the main command is killed. Can anyone help me? Thanks!

Answer 1

The first command is failing to lock the console, as another process is also using it. You will need to redirect the standard io pipelines, 0<&- mpirun main_command >/dev/null 2>/dev/null If this still does not work, use shell -c 'mpirun main_command' & sleep 1m;second_command You can use ; instead of && , unless you need a failing exit code when someone interrupts the sleep.