fork method, args parameter cannot be null

[wallet77]

• Version: 10.5.0 (but I think this is not related)
• Platform: Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS (but I think this is not related)
• Subsystem: child_process

Hi,

I've just realized that this code can't work because args parameter can't be null. But it's not documented and I think it can be disturbing.

childProcess.fork(app.js', null, {
    execPath: process.execPath
  })

But the following will work :

childProcess.fork(app.js', [], {
    execPath: process.execPath
  })

I think this line is related to the issue :

node/lib/child_process.js

Line 71 in 2bea9ce

if (pos < arguments.length && arguments[pos] != null) {

I'm not sure if it's the intended behavior, or if it's a lack in the documentation ?

[fesebuv]

That seems to be the intended behavior, since arguments[pos] != null. So it seems we are expecting at least one argument that is not a null.

[ZYSzys]

It seems that the document has said the args parameter should be an Array of string:

args {string[]} List of string arguments.

[jasnell]

Testing locally, passing null appears to work as expected. It's likely this was fixed along the way somewhere. Closing but we can reopen if it turns out that there is still something left to do