[Info-vax] Unix equivalent of a mailbox device ?

[Bob Koehler]

In article <7nid1fF3kqsmiU6 at mid.individual.net>, Bob Eager <rde42 at spamcop.net> writes:
> On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:51:59 -0600, Bob Koehler wrote:
> 
>>  Lots of folks will create an IP socket for this, but you can also
>>    create a named pipe.
> 
> Terminology varies, but this is also known as a UNIX domain socket (see 
> my post last week).

   You can use a UNIX domain socket, or you can use a real, live IP
   socket.  You can even use a DECnet socket, if you have a DECnet
   package loaded on your UNIX.

   Which one you use depends on what your current and possible future
   needs are.  UNIX sockets and named pipes are fine for getting
   around a single processor.  IP sockets and DECnet sockets will allow
   you to split the processes over multiple systems some day, but are
   kind of heavy if you know you'll be keeping all the processes on
   one computer.

   Since the OP is comparing to VMS, this would be like choosing
   between VMS mailboxes and DECnet mailboxes on an application that's
   one one system.  DECnet mailboxes are heavier, but would allow
   processes to be split across multiple systems at a later date.