Two secret Busybox commands have been found compiled into BB. Flog and Gong.
Invoking them is a secret, (no so - I invoked busybox backwards and it worked! ) but I did some extensive research on when they first appeared and if they were at all documented.
An old usenet post revealed the man pages for them. I'm putting them to use in my scripts immediately! Someone inform Denys pronto.
FLOG(1) UNIX 3.0 FLOG(1)
NAME
flog - speed up a process
SYNOPSIS
flog [ -ln ] [ -am ] [ -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 keyletter argument 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 keyletter argument 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 keyletter argument 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 totally ignored if the u
keyletter argument 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 kill(2)s 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.
Page 1 (printed 12/15/81)
GONG(1) UNIX 3.0 GONG(1)
NAME
gong - evaluate process performance
SYNOPSIS
gong [ -f ] [ -a ] process-id
DESCRIPTION
Gong is used to evaluate the performance of a process that
is in execution.
The process-id is the process number of the process whose
performance is to be evaluated.
The evaluation is performed by a set of three ``panelist''
routines, each of which analyzes one aspect (time, space,
and tonality) of the performance of the process. If any of
these routines is not amused by the performance, the process
being analyzed is sent the gong(2) signal. In addition, the
process-id of the evaluated process is written on the
standard gong, for possible future corrective action. (It
is suggested that the standard gong be an audible alarm for
proper effect.) It is expected that after being gong(2)ed,
the process will promptly commit suicide.
The f keyletter argument indicates that gong is to invoke
flog(1) with the unmerciful argument if the process does not
respond to gong(2)ing. In the absence of this argument, the
process is continuously gong(2)ed, which may lead to the
process becoming a deaf zombie.
The a keyletter argument indicates that if all three of the
panelist routines gong(2) a process, the process should be
unmercifully flog(1)ged whether or not the f keyletter is
supplied.
FILES
/dev/ding.dong is the standard gong.
SEE ALSO
On the Applicability of Gonging to the Performance and Merit
Review Process, Journal of Irreproducible Results, vol. 263,
issue 19, pp. 253-307.
BUGS
If the named process does not exist, it is possible that
gong will attempt an evaluation of itself, which may lead to
a condition known as compounded double ringing (see
echo(2)). Therefore, it is recommended that gong be used
with extreme care.
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