Advanced UNIX Programming, Second Edition

3. Advanced File I/O

3.1 Introduction

This chapter picks up where Chapter 2 left off. First I’ll extend the use of the I/O system calls already introduced to work on disk special files. I’ll use that to look inside file systems. Then I’ll introduce additional system calls that allow us to link to existing files; create, remove, and read directories; and obtain or modify file status information.

You’re much less likely to use the advanced features covered in this chapter than those in Chapter 2. You will still benefit from knowing how to use them, however, because that will give you a more complete understanding of how file I/O works.

The program examples in this chapter are more extensive than those that have appeared so far. Careful study ...