System Programming IPC

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System Programming IPC A Linux System Programming
IPC (Inter-Process Communication) is essential
for enabling processes to share data and
resources efficiently. In a client-server setup,
multiple processes often need to exchange
information or synchronize their activities to
function correctly. IPC provides mechanisms to
achieve this communication seamlessly, whether
within the same system or across a network,
especially at the transport layer using sockets.
This project demonstrates the practical
implementation of IPC in Linux, utilizing various
techniques like Pipes, FIFOs, Message Queues,
Shared Memory, Semaphores, and Signals. These
methods cater to different needs based on the
complexity and nature of communication required
between processes. Pipes and FIFOs provide a
straightforward way to exchange data between
processes. While pipes work for related
processes, FIFOs, also known as named pipes,
allow communication between unrelated
processes. Message Queues enable processes to
send and receive structured messages. They
provide greater flexibility and allow multiple
clients to communicate with a server.
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Shared Memory offers the fastest communication by
creating a common memory segment accessible to
multiple processes. It minimizes the overhead of
copying data between processes. Semaphores play a
vital role in synchronization, ensuring that
multiple processes do not access shared
resources simultaneously, avoiding conflicts and
race conditions. Signals are used for process
notifications and simple communication, allowing
processes to respond to asynchronous events like
interrupts. Sockets extend IPC capabilities
across networks, enabling communication between
processes running on different machines. This
project emphasizes the seamless integration of
these IPC methods in a robust system programming
environment. With a focus on simplicity and
efficiency, the techniques discussed here allow
processes to collaborate effectively, enhancing
system performance and ensuring smooth operation
in multi-process environments. Linux System
Programming, Inter-Process Communication (IPC),
Client-Server Setup, Pipes and FIFOs, Message
Queues, Shared Memory, Semaphores, Signals,
Sockets, Process Synchronization.