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Unit_4 Queston and Answers

The document provides an overview of Inter-Process Communication (IPC) in Linux, detailing its importance for data sharing and synchronization between processes. It covers various IPC mechanisms such as pipes, FIFOs, message queues, and semaphores, explaining their usage and differences. Additionally, it includes examples of how to implement these IPC methods in programming, highlighting their applications in both single and distributed systems.

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5 views

Unit_4 Queston and Answers

The document provides an overview of Inter-Process Communication (IPC) in Linux, detailing its importance for data sharing and synchronization between processes. It covers various IPC mechanisms such as pipes, FIFOs, message queues, and semaphores, explaining their usage and differences. Additionally, it includes examples of how to implement these IPC methods in programming, highlighting their applications in both single and distributed systems.

Uploaded by

lakshmiprasannagouda02
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit_4 Question and Answers

1. Explain Inter-Process Communication (IPC) and its importance in Linux.


Inter-Process Communication (IPC) refers to a set of techniques that allow
processes to communicate and synchronize their actions. In Linux, processes run
independently with their own memory space. IPC is essential when multiple
processes need to share data or coordinate activities.
IPC enables:
 Data sharing between processes.
 Synchronization of processes to avoid race conditions.
 Efficient communication within the same system or between systems over a
network.

2. Discuss IPC between processes on a single computer and IPC between


processes on different systems.
IPC on a Single Computer:
On a single system, IPC is used to allow processes to communicate and share
resources like memory, files, and data streams. Common IPC mechanisms include:
 Pipes: Simple one-way communication channels.
 Message Queues: Allows structured messages to be exchanged between
processes.
 Shared Memory: Provides direct access to common memory, reducing the
need for data copying.
 Semaphores: Used for synchronization between processes.
These methods allow for efficient data exchange and synchronization between
processes on the same machine.
IPC on Different Systems:
When processes need to communicate across different systems or networked
computers, additional mechanisms are used:
 Sockets: Network-based communication, enabling data exchange over
protocols like TCP/IP.
 Remote Procedure Calls (RPC): A function call mechanism where a
process on one system calls a procedure on another.
These methods facilitate IPC over networks, enabling distributed computing.

3. Describe the use of pipes in IPC and explain how to create and use
unnamed pipes for IPC between related processes.
Pipes:
A pipe is an IPC mechanism that creates a unidirectional data channel between
processes. Pipes are useful for sending data from one process to another in a
producer-consumer relationship.
Unnamed Pipes:
Unnamed pipes are commonly used between related processes, such as a parent
and its child process. Data written by one process (e.g., the parent) is read by the
other process (e.g., the child).
Creating an Unnamed Pipe:
The pipe() system call is used to create an unnamed pipe.
int pipe(int pipefd[2]);
 pipefd[0]: File descriptor for reading from the pipe.
 pipefd[1]: File descriptor for writing to the pipe.
Example:
int fd[2];
pipe(fd); // Create a pipe

if (fork() == 0) {
// Child process
close(fd[1]); // Close write end
char buffer[100];
read(fd[0], buffer, sizeof(buffer)); // Read from pipe
printf("Child received: %s\n", buffer);
close(fd[0]);
} else {
// Parent process
close(fd[0]); // Close read end
write(fd[1], "Hello from parent", 17); // Write to pipe
close(fd[1]);
}

4. Explain IPC between unrelated processes using FIFOs (Named Pipes)


and differentiate between named and unnamed pipes.
FIFOs (Named Pipes):
Unlike unnamed pipes, FIFOs (named pipes) allow communication between
unrelated processes by providing a file-based interface. A FIFO is created as a
special file in the file system, allowing processes to access it using file system
operations like reading and writing.
Creating a FIFO:
The mkfifo() function creates a named pipe.
int mkfifo(const char *pathname, mode_t mode);
Example:
1. Create the FIFO:
mkfifo("/tmp/myfifo", 0666);
2. Process 1 (Writing to FIFO):
int fd = open("/tmp/myfifo", O_WRONLY);
write(fd, "Message from Process 1", 23);
close(fd);
3. Process 2 (Reading from FIFO):
int fd = open("/tmp/myfifo", O_RDONLY);
char buffer[100];
read(fd, buffer, sizeof(buffer));
printf("Received: %s\n", buffer);
close(fd);
Differences Between Named and Unnamed Pipes:
 Unnamed Pipes: Only work between related processes (parent-child).
 Named Pipes (FIFO): Allow communication between unrelated processes by
being persistent in the file system.

5. Explain the popen and pclose library functions and their use in process
communication.
The popen() and pclose() functions are used to execute a command or a program
from within another program and create a pipe between the calling process and the
executed command.
popen():
 Opens a process by creating a pipe, forking, and invoking the shell.
 Returns a file pointer associated with the input/output of the command.
FILE *popen(const char *command, const char *type);
 command: The shell command to be executed.
 type: Either "r" for reading the command's output or "w" for writing to the
command's input.
pclose():
 Closes the pipe and waits for the child process to terminate.
int pclose(FILE *stream);
Example:
FILE *fp = popen("ls", "r");
char buffer[1024];
while (fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer), fp) != NULL) {
printf("%s", buffer);
}
pclose(fp);

6. Discuss message queues, kernel support for message passing, and


provide examples of message queue APIs for client/server communication.
Message Queues:
A message queue is an IPC mechanism that allows processes to exchange
messages in a structured format. Unlike pipes, message queues allow multiple
messages to be stored and read selectively based on message types.
Kernel Support for Message Queues:
The kernel manages message queues using the System V message queue API. Each
message queue is associated with a key and is identified by a message queue
identifier.
APIs for Message Queues:
1. msgget(): Creates or accesses a message queue.
int msgget(key_t key, int msgflg);
2. msgsnd(): Sends a message to the queue.
int msgsnd(int msqid, const void *msgp, size_t msgsz, int msgflg);
3. msgrcv(): Receives a message from the queue.
ssize_t msgrcv(int msqid, void *msgp, size_t msgsz, long msgtyp, int msgflg);
4. msgctl(): Performs control operations on a message queue.
int msgctl(int msqid, int cmd, struct msqid_ds *buf);
Client-Server Example Using Message Queues:
 Server:
key_t key = ftok("file", 65);
int msgid = msgget(key, 0666 | IPC_CREAT);
struct msg_buffer {
long msg_type;
char msg_text[100];
} message;

msgrcv(msgid, &message, sizeof(message), 1, 0);


printf("Received: %s\n", message.msg_text);
msgctl(msgid, IPC_RMID, NULL); // Remove the message queue
 Client:
key_t key = ftok("file", 65);
int msgid = msgget(key, 0666 | IPC_CREAT);
struct msg_buffer {
long msg_type;
char msg_text[100];
} message;

message.msg_type = 1;
strcpy(message.msg_text, "Hello from client");
msgsnd(msgid, &message, sizeof(message), 0);

7. Explain kernel support for semaphores and APIs for semaphore


operations in Linux.
A semaphore is a synchronization tool used to control access to shared resources.
Semaphores prevent race conditions by ensuring that only a limited number of
processes access the resource simultaneously.
Kernel Support for Semaphores:
The kernel provides System V semaphores for synchronization. Each semaphore
is identified by a key and semaphore ID, and the kernel maintains the state of each
semaphore.
Semaphore APIs:
1. semget(): Creates or accesses a semaphore set.
int semget(key_t key, int nsems, int semflg);
2. semop(): Performs operations on a semaphore set (like wait or signal).
int semop(int semid, struct sembuf *sops, size_t nsops);
3. semctl(): Performs control operations on the semaphore set.
int semctl(int semid, int semnum, int cmd, ...);
Example:
1. Creating a Semaphore:
key_t key = ftok("file", 65);
int semid = semget(key, 1, 0666 | IPC_CREAT);
2. P (wait) Operation:
struct sembuf sops = { 0, -1, 0 }; // Decrement the semaphore
semop(semid, &sops, 1);
3. V (signal) Operation:
struct sembuf sops = { 0, 1, 0 }; // Increment the semaphore
semop(semid, &sops, 1);
Semaphores are essential for synchronizing access to resources like shared memory
or critical sections.

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