1 files changed, 21 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_support.py b/Lib/test/test_support.py
index 8e31549..6532c79 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_support.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_support.py
@@ -475,3 +475,24 @@ def threading_cleanup(num_active, num_limbo):
     while len(threading._limbo) != num_limbo and count < _MAX_COUNT:
         count += 1
         time.sleep(0.1)
+
+def reap_children():
+    """Use this function at the end of test_main() whenever sub-processes
+    are started.  This will help ensure that no extra children (zombies)
+    stick around to hog resources and create problems when looking
+    for refleaks.
+    """
+
+    # Reap all our dead child processes so we don't leave zombies around.
+    # These hog resources and might be causing some of the buildbots to die.
+    import os
+    if hasattr(os, 'waitpid'):
+        any_process = -1
+        while True:
+            try:
+                # This will raise an exception on Windows.  That's ok.
+                pid, status = os.waitpid(any_process, os.WNOHANG)
+                if pid == 0:
+                    break
+            except:
+                break