catstartx.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import os, sys, time

def find_next_free_x_display(max_tries = 10):
    """ 
    Find the next free X Display by 
    investigating the Xlocks in /tmp
    """   
    for i in range(max_tries):
        try_path = "/tmp/.X" + str(i) + "-lock"
        try:
            with open(try_path,"r"):
                pass
        except:
            return i
    else:
        return -1

def usage():
    print("Usage: {0} [-t <sec>] <appname> or when using wine: {0} wine <appname>".format(sys.argv[0]))


if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) < 2 :
        usage()
    else:
        timeout = 0
        opt_start = 1
        if sys.argv[1] == "-t":
            if len(sys.argv) < 3:
                print("-t needs an argument, Sir.")
                sys.exit(-1)
            
            if len(sys.argv) < 4:
                print("You should also add a command behind -t, Sir.")
                sys.exit(-2)
            
            try:
                timeout = int(sys.argv[2])
            except:
                print("Cannot convert '" + sys.argv[2] + "' to an integer, Sir.")
                sys.exit(-3)

            opt_start = 3

        out = ""
        for x in sys.argv[(1 + opt_start):]:
            out += (" " + x)

        display = find_next_free_x_display()
        if display != -1:
            cmd = "xinit $(which " + sys.argv[opt_start] + ")" + out + " -- :" + str(display)
            if timeout > 0:
                print("Will start app in ",end='')
                for second in range(timeout):
                    print(str(timeout - second) + "..", end='')
                    sys.stdout.flush()
                    time.sleep(1)
                print()
            os.system(cmd)
        else:
            print("Sorry, couldn't find a free X display")