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UNIX Network Programming: Interprocess Communications, Volume 2
The first volume of Unix Network Programming, Networking APIs: Sockets and XTI covers just about everything you need to know to get your applications to talk to other computers on a network. In this second volume, W. Richard Stevens discusses what you need to know to get your applications to talk to other applications running on your computer. There's a big difference, and Stevens covers it well.
Stevens introduces the reader to the internal structures of Posix interprocess communication (IPC) and System V (SysV) IPC; pipes and first in, first outs (FIFOs); message queues; how to lock and unlock files and records; semaphores; shared memory; and remote procedure calls (RPCs). He explains the difference between the Posix and SysV implementations of semaphores, message queues, and shared memory. There are also plenty of notes and examples for the reader.
This book is invaluable for programmers because it explains all of those little "gotchas" that always seem to pop up. In addition, the explanations of the differences between Posix IPC and SysV IPC really help readers decide which version they'd like to use for their applications. --Doug Beaver
558 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 1998
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About the author
W. Richard Stevens
35 books78 followersWilliam Richard (Rich) Stevens was a Northern Rhodesia–born American author of computer science books, in particular books on Unix and TCP/IP.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 4, 2023
The real power of UNIX is in communication.
The real power of UNIX or any application for that matter is in interprocess communication. I found early on that accomplishing any large project would require the cooperation of interprocess communication. Now I find that simple administration skills also require a knowledge of this interposes communication.
My first foray into the field was to use semaphores to flag processes to run at the proper time. Later I needed to use pipes for a front-end in communication to SNA. Again, I found IPCs could help inform and control processes that were in canned packages and not accessible any other way. The list of useful tools can go on and on. I also had to find the NT equivalent as it became popular.
UNIX is still out there in many forms and if one is to survive in the field an understanding of interprocess communications is imperative.
The Abbreviated Table of Contents:
Part 1. Introduction
1. Introduction
2. POSIX IPC
3. System V IPC
Part 2. Message Passing
4. Pipes and FIFOs
5. Posix Message Queues
6. System V Message Queues
Part 3. Synchronization
7. Mutexes and Condition Variables
8. Read-Write Locks
9. Record Locking
10. POSIX Semaphores
11. System V Semaphores
Part 4. Shared Memory
12. Shared Memory Introduction
13. POSIX Shared Memory
14. System V Shared Memory
Part 5. Remote Procedure Calls
15. Doors
16. Sun RPC
Epilogue
Appendix A. Performance Measurements
Appendix B. Threads Primer
Appendix C. Miscellaneous Source Code
Appendix D. Solutions to Selected Exercises
Bibliography
Index
One final note is that with systems dispersed globally Remote Procedures Calls are taking precedence in Interprocess communications.
The real power of UNIX or any application for that matter is in interprocess communication. I found early on that accomplishing any large project would require the cooperation of interprocess communication. Now I find that simple administration skills also require a knowledge of this interposes communication.
My first foray into the field was to use semaphores to flag processes to run at the proper time. Later I needed to use pipes for a front-end in communication to SNA. Again, I found IPCs could help inform and control processes that were in canned packages and not accessible any other way. The list of useful tools can go on and on. I also had to find the NT equivalent as it became popular.
UNIX is still out there in many forms and if one is to survive in the field an understanding of interprocess communications is imperative.
The Abbreviated Table of Contents:
Part 1. Introduction
1. Introduction
2. POSIX IPC
3. System V IPC
Part 2. Message Passing
4. Pipes and FIFOs
5. Posix Message Queues
6. System V Message Queues
Part 3. Synchronization
7. Mutexes and Condition Variables
8. Read-Write Locks
9. Record Locking
10. POSIX Semaphores
11. System V Semaphores
Part 4. Shared Memory
12. Shared Memory Introduction
13. POSIX Shared Memory
14. System V Shared Memory
Part 5. Remote Procedure Calls
15. Doors
16. Sun RPC
Epilogue
Appendix A. Performance Measurements
Appendix B. Threads Primer
Appendix C. Miscellaneous Source Code
Appendix D. Solutions to Selected Exercises
Bibliography
Index
One final note is that with systems dispersed globally Remote Procedures Calls are taking precedence in Interprocess communications.
Displaying 1 of 1 review