sysvipc(7) Miscellaneous Information Manual sysvipc(7)
NAME
sysvipc - System V interprocess communication mechanisms
DESCRIPTION
System V IPC is the name given to three interprocess communication
mechanisms that are widely available on UNIX systems: message queues,
semaphore, and shared memory.
Message queues
System V message queues allow data to be exchanged in units called mes-
sages. Each message can have an associated priority. POSIX message
queues provide an alternative API for achieving the same result; see
mq_overview(7).
The System V message queue API consists of the following system calls:
msgget(2)
Create a new message queue or obtain the ID of an existing mes-
sage queue. This call returns an identifier that is used in the
remaining APIs.
msgsnd(2)
Add a message to a queue.
msgrcv(2)
Remove a message from a queue.
msgctl(2)
Perform various control operations on a queue, including dele-
tion.
Semaphore sets
System V semaphores allow processes to synchronize their actions. Sys-
tem V semaphores are allocated in groups called sets; each semaphore in
a set is a counting semaphore. POSIX semaphores provide an alternative
API for achieving the same result; see sem_overview(7).
The System V semaphore API consists of the following system calls:
semget(2)
Create a new set or obtain the ID of an existing set. This call
returns an identifier that is used in the remaining APIs.
semop(2)
Perform operations on the semaphores in a set.
semctl(2)
Perform various control operations on a set, including deletion.
Shared memory segments
System V shared memory allows processes to share a region a memory (a
"segment"). POSIX shared memory is an alternative API for achieving
the same result; see shm_overview(7).
The System V shared memory API consists of the following system calls:
shmget(2)
Create a new segment or obtain the ID of an existing segment.
This call returns an identifier that is used in the remaining
APIs.
shmat(2)
Attach an existing shared memory object into the calling
process's address space.
shmdt(2)
Detach a segment from the calling process's address space.
shmctl(2)
Perform various control operations on a segment, including dele-
tion.
IPC namespaces
For a discussion of the interaction of System V IPC objects and IPC
namespaces, see ipc_namespaces(7).
SEE ALSO
ipcmk(1), ipcrm(1), ipcs(1), lsipc(1), ipc(2), msgctl(2), msgget(2),
msgrcv(2), msgsnd(2), semctl(2), semget(2), semop(2), shmat(2), shm-
ctl(2), shmdt(2), shmget(2), ftok(3), ipc_namespaces(7)
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