What is UNIX domain socket?
UNIX domain socket is a mechanism that allows inter-process communication (IPC) within the same host operating system. It provides a fast and efficient way for processes to exchange data without the need for network communication.
Unlike regular network sockets, UNIX domain sockets exist within the file system of the host operating system. They are represented as special files that processes can read from or write to. This eliminates the need to go through network protocol stacks, making communication between processes faster and more secure.
UNIX domain sockets offer various advantages when compared to other IPC mechanisms like pipes or message queues. They provide reliable, full-duplex communication between processes and support both streaming and datagram modes. Additionally, they can be used for communication between processes running as different users or even as different applications.
How to use UNIX domain socket?
Using UNIX domain socket for communication involves a server-client model. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to employ UNIX domain sockets in your application:
1. Create a socket:
Both the server and client processes need to create a socket to establish a connection. This is typically done using the `socket()` system call. The socket can be of type `SOCK_STREAM` for streaming or `SOCK_DGRAM` for datagram communication.
2. Bind the socket:
The server process must bind the socket to a specific file path within the file system. This is typically done using the `bind()` system call. The file path serves as the address that the client process can use to connect to the server.
3. Listen (server only):
If the server process intends to accept incoming connections from multiple clients, it needs to call the `listen()` system call. This allows the server to queue incoming client connections until they can be accepted.
4. Accept connections (server only):
Once the server is listening, it can use the `accept()` system call to accept incoming client connections. This call will block until a client attempts to connect.
5. Connect:
The client process can use the `connect()` system call to connect to the server. It needs to specify the file path representing the server’s socket.
6. Send and receive data:
Both the server and client can use the `send()` and `recv()` system calls to send and receive data through the established connection. These calls provide the necessary interface to exchange information between the processes.
7. Close the connection:
Once the communication is complete, both the server and client processes should close the socket. This is done using the `close()` system call.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize UNIX domain sockets for inter-process communication within the same host operating system. It provides a powerful and efficient method for data exchange between processes, making it a valuable tool for various applications.
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