Question

What are the different IPC mechanisms?

Answer 1

These are the methods in IPC:

1. Pipes (Same Process): This allows a flow of data in one direction only. Analogous to simplex systems (Keyboard). Data from the output is usually buffered until the input process receives it which must have a common origin.
2. Named Pipes (Different Processes): This is a pipe with a specific name it can be used in processes that don’t have a shared common process origin. E.g. FIFO where the details written to a pipe are first named.
3. Message Queuing: This allows messages to be passed between processes using either a single queue or several message queues. This is managed by the system kernel these messages are coordinated using an API.
4. Semaphores: This is used in solving problems associated with synchronization and avoiding race conditions. These are integer values that are greater than or equal to 0.
5. Shared Memory: This allows the interchange of data through a defined area of memory. Semaphore values have to be obtained before data can get access to shared memory.
6. Sockets: This method is mostly used to communicate over a network between a client and a server. It allows for a standard connection which is computer and OS independent