M_READ

The M_READ message is generated by the stream head and sent downstream for a read(2) if no messages are waiting to be read at the stream head and if read notification has been enabled. Read notification is enabled with the SO_MREADON flag of the M_SETOPTS message and disabled by use of the SO_MREADOFF flag.

The message content is set to the value of the nbyte parameter (the number of bytes to be read) in read(2).

M_READ notifies modules and drivers of the occurrence of a read. It also supports communication between streams that reside in separate processors. The use of the M_READ message is developer dependent. Modules may take specific action and pass on or free the M_READ message. Modules that do not recognize this message must pass it on. All other drivers may or may not take action and then free the message.

This message cannot be generated by a user-level process and should not be generated by a module or driver. It is always discarded if passed to the stream head.