Prototype of task loop that reliably kills runaway tasks

task_loop.py

import multiprocessing
import os
import signal
from itertools import count
from time import sleep


def work(n):
    print("Task", n, "starting")
    signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal.SIG_IGN)

    while True:
        try:
            sleep(2)

        except KeyboardInterrupt:
            print("Task interrupted")

        if os.environ.get("HIGHLANDER"):
            print("Task does not want to die")

        else:
            print("Task done")
            return



def start_task(n):
    task = multiprocessing.Process(target=work, args=(n,))
    task.start()
    return task


def task_loop():
    for n in count():  # or `while True:`
        print("Loop starting task", n)
        task = start_task(n)
        try:
            task.join()
            print("Loop task", n, "finished")

        except KeyboardInterrupt:
            print("Loop waiting for task", n, "to finish ...")
            try:
                task.join()
            finally:
                if task.is_alive():
                    print("Loop killing task", n)
                    task.kill()
                return


if __name__ == "__main__":
    task_loop()