mkfifo MacOS Command Guide

The mkfifo command in MacOS is used to create FIFO special files, also known as named pipes. These pipes allow inter-process communication between processes running on the same machine. By using the mkfifo command, you can create a FIFO file with the specified name. This can be useful when you need to pass data or messages between different processes in a synchronized way.

To use the mkfifo command, you simply need to provide the desired name for the FIFO file as an argument. Once the FIFO file is created, processes can write data to it using standard input/output operations. This allows for seamless communication between processes without the need for temporary files.

The mkfifo command can be particularly useful in situations where you need to pass data between processes efficiently and securely. By creating a FIFO file using mkfifo, you can establish a communication channel that allows processes to exchange data in real-time.

Overall, the mkfifo command in MacOS is a handy tool for creating FIFO special files that facilitate inter-process communication. By understanding how to use mkfifo effectively, you can enhance the efficiency and flexibility of your workflows that involve passing data between processes.

mkfifo Syntax:

mkfifo [option] [parameter]

Options:

Option	Description
-m	Set the file permission mode (default is 0666)

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
filename	Specifies the name of the FIFO (First In First Out)

mkfifo Command Samples:

Create a FIFO file

mkfifo myfifo

This command creates a first in, first out (FIFO) special file named “myfifo”.

Use a FIFO file as input to a command

cat myfifo | less

This command reads the content of the FIFO file “myfifo” and pipes it into the “less” command for easy navigation.

Use a FIFO file as output from a command

ls -l > myfifo &

This command directs the output of the “ls -l” command into the FIFO file “myfifo” in the background.

Redirect input to a FIFO file

mkfifo input
cat > input

These commands create a FIFO file named “input” and redirect the standard input into this file.

Use multiple FIFO files in a pipeline

mkfifo pipe1 pipe2
ls -l | tee pipe1 | sort | tee pipe2

In this pipeline, multiple FIFO files (“pipe1” and “pipe2”) are used to pass data between commands in a structured manner.

Read from a FIFO file in a loop

mkfifo log
while true; do cat log; sleep 1; done

This command creates a FIFO file “log” and continuously reads and displays any data written to it in a loop with a one-second delay between each read.

Write to a FIFO file

mkfifo output
echo "Hello, FIFO!" > output

In this example, the text “Hello, FIFO!” is written to the FIFO file “output”.

mkfifo FAQ:

How do I use mkfifo in MacOS?

To use the mkfifo command in MacOS, execute the following command:

mkfifo /path/to/named_pipe

What is the purpose of mkfifo in MacOS?

The mkfifo command in MacOS is used to create named pipes (FIFOs) for interprocess communication.

How can I create a named pipe with mkfifo in MacOS?

To create a named pipe using mkfifo in MacOS, use the following command:

mkfifo my_pipe

How do I check if a named pipe already exists in MacOS?

To check if a named pipe already exists in MacOS, you can use the -e option with the test command like this:

test -p my_pipe && echo "Named pipe exists" || echo "Named pipe does not exist"

Can I specify permissions when creating a named pipe with mkfifo in MacOS?

Yes, you can specify permissions when creating a named pipe in MacOS using the -m option with the mkfifo command. For example:

mkfifo -m 600 my_pipe

Is there a way to remove a named pipe created with mkfifo in MacOS?

Yes, you can remove a named pipe created with mkfifo in MacOS using the rm command. For example:

rm my_pipe

Applications of the mkfifo command

Create named pipe
Allow communication between processes
Implement inter-process communication