STREAMS Programming Guide

STREAMS Interfaces

The stream head provides the interface between the stream and an application program. After a stream has been opened, STREAMS-related system calls enable a user process to insert and delete (push and pop) modules. That process can then communicate with and control the operation of the stream head, modules, and drivers. The stream head handles most system calls so that the related processing does not have to be incorporated in a module or driver.

STREAMS System Calls

Table 2-1 offers an overview of some basic STREAMS-related system calls.

Table 2–1 Summary of Basic STREAMS-related System Calls


Function	Description
open(2)	Opens a stream
close(2)	Closes a stream
read(2)	Reads data from a stream
write(2)	Writes data to a stream
ioctl(2)	Controls a stream
getmsg(2)	Receives a message at the stream head
getpmsg(2)	Receives a priority message at the stream head
putmsg(2)	Sends a message downstream
putpmsg(2)	Sends a priority message downstream
poll(2)	Identifies files on which a user can send or receive messages, or on which certain events have occurred (not restricted to STREAMS, although historically it was)
pipe(2)	Creates a bidirectional channel that provides a communication path between multiple processes

Note –

Sections 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 of the online manual pages (man pages) contain all the STREAMS information.

Action Summary

The open(2) system call recognizes a STREAMS special file and creates a stream to the specified driver. A user process can receive and send data on STREAMS files using read(2) and write(2) in the same way as with traditional character files. ioctl(2) lets users perform functions specific to a particular device. STREAMS ioctl(2) commands (see the streamio(7I) man page) support a variety of functions to access and control streams. The final close(2) on a stream dismantles it.

The poll(2) system call provides a mechanism for multiplexing input/output over a set of file descriptors that reference open files. putmsg(2) and getmsg(2) and the putpmsg(2) and getpmsg(2) send and receive STREAMS messages, and can act on STREAMS modules and drivers through a service interface.