problem is foo.pl can be run simultaneously by 2 different users so I'm not sure how I'd be able to make foo.pl tell which ps it belongs to.
Not a problem - each will have it's own address space and PID.
The issue - and you haven't shown any code - is mutual data access.
The script cannot access the same files as it's "twin" IF they are both running simultaneously.
Why not post what you are really thinking and wanting to do...
Bill :)
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