findprocess.py

def pids(processname, entireline=True):
    """
    Find the pid(s) of a running process, returned as a list.
    Code from: http://www.echarcha.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-26378.html

    enterline means search the entire 'ps ax' line, not just the command.
    """
    import os
    import signal

    pids = []
    for line in os.popen('ps xa'):
        try:
            fields  = line.split()
            pid     = fields[0]
            process = fields[4]

            if entireline: searchstr = line
            else: searchstr = process

    #        if searchstr.find(processname) > 0:
            if searchstr.find(processname) >= 0:
    #            print line
                pids.append(int(pid))
        except Exception, e:
            print >> sys.stderr, type(e), e

    return pids

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print pids("firefox")