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Chapter 2: Interprocess Communication

The term interprocess communication (IPC) describes any method of sending data from one running process to another. IPC is commonly used to allow processes to coordinate the use of shared data objects, for instance, to let two programs update the same data in memory without interfering with each other, or to make data acquired by one process available to others. IRIX supports a wide variety of IPC mechanisms.

This chapter describes IPC and covers the following topics:

"Types of Interprocess Communication Available" gives a brief overview of the types of IPC available.
"IRIX IPC" explains IRIX shared arenas, locks, semaphores, and shared memory.
"System V IPC" describes System V messages, semaphores, and shared memory.

Types of Interprocess Communication Available
IRIX IPC
System V IPC

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