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Computing (FOLDOC) dictionary
STREAMS
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operating system A collection of system calls, kernel
resources, and kernel utility routines that can create, use,
and dismantle a stream. A "stream head" provides the
interface between the stream and the user processes. Its
principal function is to process STREAMS-related user system
calls. A "stream module" processes data that travel bewteen
the stream head and driver. The "stream end" provides the
services of an external input/output device or an internal
software driver. The internal software driver is commonly
called a pseudo-device driver.
The STREAMS concept has been formalised in Unix System V.
For example, SVR4 implements sockets and pipes using
STREAMS, resulting in pipe(2) openning bidirectional pipes.