Description: The ‘mkfifo’ command is a command-line tool in Unix and Linux systems used to create named pipes, also known as FIFOs (First In, First Out). These pipes allow for communication between processes, facilitating efficient data exchange. Unlike anonymous pipes, which are created on the fly and are only accessible by the processes that create them, FIFOs have a name in the file system, allowing multiple processes to use them for sending and receiving data. The use of ‘mkfifo’ is fundamental in systems programming and script creation, as it enables synchronization and communication between different processes in a simple and effective manner. This command is part of the Unix command family and integrates seamlessly into the shell programming environment, allowing developers to create more complex and efficient solutions in their applications.
History: The ‘mkfifo’ command was introduced in the Unix operating system in the 1970s as part of the evolution of inter-process communication. As Unix expanded and was adopted across various platforms, ‘mkfifo’ became a standard in POSIX-compliant systems, allowing developers to implement inter-process communication techniques more effectively. Its inclusion in the file system enabled named pipes to become an essential tool for systems programming and script creation in Unix and Linux environments.
Uses: The ‘mkfifo’ command is primarily used to create named pipes that allow for inter-process communication in Unix and Linux systems. This is especially useful in situations where different processes need to exchange data in a synchronized manner. For example, it can be used in shell scripts to facilitate communication between a producer and a consumer of data, where one process writes data to the FIFO and another process reads it. It is also used in applications that require a continuous flow of data between different components of a system.
Examples: A practical example of using ‘mkfifo’ would be to create a FIFO named ‘my_fifo’. First, the command ‘mkfifo my_fifo’ is executed in the terminal. Then, one process can write data to ‘my_fifo’ using ‘echo’ (for example, ‘echo “Hello, world” > my_fifo’), while another process can read that data with ‘cat’ (for example, ‘cat < my_fifo'). This allows data to flow between the two processes in a controlled and orderly manner.
