strategy() Entry Point

The strategy(9E) entry point is used to read and write data buffers to and from a block device. The name strategy refers to the fact that this entry point might implement some optimal strategy for ordering requests to the device.

strategy(9E) can be written to process one request at a time, that is, a synchronous transfer. strategy() can also be written to queue multiple requests to the device, as in an asynchronous transfer. When choosing a method, the abilities and limitations of the device should be taken into account.

The strategy(9E) routine is passed a pointer to a buf(9S) structure. This structure describes the transfer request, and contains status information on return. buf(9S) and strategy(9E) are the focus of block device operations.