From: Tim Hammerquist <tim@...>
Date: 2002-07-12T19:52:21+09:00
Subject: Re: new to ruby,how to make FIFO in ruby?

Maggie Xiao graced us by uttering:
> Is there anyone can tell me how to make FIFO in ruby? I cannot find
> the related method? Thanks.

When I ported a Perl script that used (Unix special filetype) FIFOs, I
simply used Kernal::system to call the external executable.

Another option might be to use the mkfifo(3) POSIX call on systems that
support it.

If anyone knows of a more graceful way to accomplish this, I'd be very
interested in hearing it.

Just as a (somewhat anal) optimization/efficiency issue, backticks would
be overkill, as mknod(1)/mkfifo(1) don't write anything to stdout.  It's
sufficient to run under Kernel::system and check the return value,
rather than run it in backticks and capture output that may not exists
into a variable that may not even be present.

A similar, Perl-related issue can be found here (if you have the perldoc
command):

    $ perldoc -q map

or here:

    http://www.perldoc.com/perl5.6.1/pod/perlfaq6.html

    --> "What's wrong with using grep or map in a void context?"

> Maggie

HTH
Tim Hammerquist
-- 
  Westley: Why didn't you wait for me?
Buttercup: Well, you were dead.
    -- "The Princess Bride"