Inter-process Communication

programming, operating system (IPC) Exchange of data between

one process and another, either within the same computer or

over a network. It implies a protocol that guarantees a

response to a request. Examples are Unix sockets, RISCOS's messages, OS/2's Named Pipes, Microsoft Windows'

DDE, Novell's SPX and Macintosh's IAC.

Although IPC is performed automatically by programs, an

analogous function can be performed interactively when users

cut and paste data from one process to another using a

clipboard.

(1995-12-14)