What is a named pipe?
A named pipe is a special file that is used to transfer data
between unrelated processes. One (or more) processes write to it, while
another process reads from it. Named pipes are visible in the file
system and may be viewed with `ls' like any other file. (Named
pipes are also called fifos; this term stands for `First In, First
Out'.)
Named pipes may be used to pass data between unrelated processes, while
normal (unnamed) pipes can only connect parent/child processes (unless
you try very hard).
Named pipes are strictly unidirectional, even on systems where anonymous
pipes are bidirectional (full-duplex).
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