# command to run
# php migrate.php --old-database heinessenmlp --board mlp --phase 1
 
# String that we get if command fails (this is just part of it, but should be enough to do the search)
# "[database error] Deadlock found"
 
# output of command needs to be recorded and when it's done checked for this string
# If it exits without a deadlock message then it's probably finished
command output = (php migrate.php --old-database heinessenmlp --board mlp --phase 1)
while "[database error] Deadlock found" in command_output:
        # I am assuming that the command will finish and that the output from the most recent run will overwrite the old run's output
        command output = (php migrate.php --old-database heinessenmlp --board mlp --phase 1)
print "Merge done."