OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Learning Objectives

Understand the Fundamentals of IPC

 Explore IPC Methods and Mechanisms
 Analyze Synchronization Techniques in IPC
 Evaluate the Advantages and Challenges of IPC
 Apply IPC in Real-World Scenarios

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Inter-Process Communication (IPC)

 IPC refers to the transfer of information and interaction

between multiple processes in an electronic system

 Each tasking process runs independently but may require

communication for data exchange or coordination.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Importance of IPC

 Essential in modern operating systems.

 Used in various applications, from simple control-line

appliances to complex distributed systems.

 Ensures secure and efficient knowledge transmission

between processes.

A diagram that illustrates inter-process communication is

as follows −

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

 Synchronization is a necessary part of inter-process

communication.

 It is either provided by the inter process control

mechanism or handled by the communicating processes.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Some of the methods to provide synchronization are as follows −

Semaphore
 A semaphore is a variable that controls the access to a common
resource by multiple processes.

 The two types of semaphores are binary semaphores and

counting semaphores.

Mutual Exclusion
 Mutual exclusion requires that only one process thread can enter
the critical section at a time.

This is useful for synchronization and also prevents race

conditions.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Some of the methods to provide synchronization are as follows −

Barrier
 A barrier does not allow individual processes to proceed until all
the processes reach it.

 Many parallel languages and collective routines impose barriers.

Spinlock
 This is a type of lock.

 The processes trying to acquire this lock wait in a loop while

checking if the lock is available or not.

 This is known as busy waiting because the process is not doing

any useful operation even though it is active.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Approaches to Inter-process Communication

Pipe
 A pipe is a data channel that is unidirectional.

 Two pipes can be used to create a two-way data channel between

two processes.

 This uses standard input and output methods.

Pipes are used in all POSIX systems as well as Windows

operating systems.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Approaches to Inter-process Communication

Socket
 The socket is the endpoint for sending or receiving data in a
network.

 This is true for data sent between processes on the same

computer or data sent between different computers on the same
network.

 Most of the operating systems use sockets for inter process

communication.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Approaches to Inter-process Communication

File
 A file is a data record that may be stored on a disk or acquired on
demand by a file server.

 Multiple processes can access a file as required. All operating

systems use files for data storage.

Signal
 Signals are useful in inter-process communication in a limited
way.

 They are system messages that are sent from one process to
another.

 Normally, signals are not used to transfer data but are used for
remote commands between processes.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Approaches to Inter-process Communication

Shared Memory
 Shared memory is the memory that can be simultaneously
accessed by multiple processes.

 This is done so that the processes can communicate with each

other.

 All POSIX systems, as well as Windows operating systems use

shared memory.

Message Queue
 Multiple processes can read and write data to the message queue
without being connected to each other.

 Messages are stored in the queue until their recipient retrieves

them. Message queues are quite useful for inter-process
communication and are used by most operating systems.
CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5
OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

A diagram that demonstrates message queue and shared memory

methods of Inter-process communication is as follows −

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Different Methods of IPC

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Pipes −
 A pipe is a channel of communication that is one-way that
enables a single procedure to transmit data to a different one.

 Pipes can be identified as or unidentified.

 The operations running in anonymous pipes have to be

associated (i.e., both parent and child processes).

 Known pipes, on the contrary together, may be utilized by

processes that are separate from one another.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Message Queues −
 Message queues are employed for inter-process interaction when
both the sending and getting processes do not need to be present at
the same time.

 The asynchronous communications may be sent and received.

 A message in a queue possesses a particular final destination

and is accessible to multiple processes.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Shared Memory −
 Shared memory is an inter process communication method that
enables various programs to make use of a single storage region.

 This allows them to effectively and effectively share data.

 Sharing memory is frequently employed in applications that are

extremely fast.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Semaphores −
 Semaphores serve to keep the utilization of resources that are
shared synchronized.

 Their companies serve as responses that limit the number of

procedures that may utilize a resource that is shared at any given
time.

 Semaphores are useful for implementing critical sections in

which only one process has access to a resource that is shared at a
time.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Socket −
 Sockets constitute an internet-based communications process
that enables procedures to interact with one another over a
network.

 Someone can communicate both locally and remotely.

 In client-server relationships applications, ports are frequently

used.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) −

 RPC is a procedure that enables a single process to call an
operation in another.

 It allows procedures to call treatments in distant systems as

though they were actually local, enabling distributed computing.

 In systems with distributed components, RPC is frequently

used.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Signals −
 Asynchronous IPC signals are employed for informing an
operator of an occurrence or interference.

 The Operating System (OS) sends communication through

processes as well as between processes.

 Programming based on events can be implemented using

signals.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Advantages
The following are many benefits of employing inter process
communication (IPC) techniques for procedure interaction:

 Increased Modularity − IPC enables developers to divide

large applications into smaller parts that are easier to manage.

 Improved Performance − IPC may enhance the efficiency of

applications by enabling handles to share information and convey
it directly to one another.

 Improved Scalability − IPC may assist enhance an

implementation's adaptability by enabling various processes to
collaborate to complete a task.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Advantages

Improved Fault Tolerance −

 IPC may be employed to enhance an implementation's fault
tolerance by allowing procedures to identify and recuperate from
mistakes.

Increased Security −
 IPC may be employed to enhance security for applications by
managing the utilization of resources that are shared.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Disadvantages
There are also a number of potential drawbacks to keep in mind:

 Increased Complexity − IPC may complicate a program by

needing creators to handle process interaction and
synchronization.

 Increased Overhead − IPC can increase usage overhead by

needing extra processing time as well as memory assets.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Disadvantages
 Increased Risk of Race Condition −
IPC may boost the likelihood of race circumstances, which occur
when several programmers access a resource that is shared at the
same period of time potentially resulting in corruption of
information or other problems.

 Security Risks − Given that interactions between procedures

can be seized or controlled by unauthorized individuals, IPC can
pose safety hazards.

CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5

OPERATING SYSTEM – INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION

Methods of IPC Info graphic

Disadvantages
 System Dependency −
In accordance with the system that underlies it, distinctive IPC
techniques might come with distinct needs and constraints.

 Debugging and Troubleshooting −

Debugging and troubleshooting IPC related problems can prove
difficult because they might involve numerous procedures with
intricate relationships.

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CS-301, Operating System - Spring 2025 - BS-CS, Semester 5