Question

Linux: Fifo is also known as…?
You use printenv | grip <text> to search for text in the output from printenv.
Now you have to do about the same thing, but you have to use a FIFO and run printenv in Terminal 1 and grep in Terminal 2.
What is the second name of a FIFO and what is the difference between a | and a FIFO?
(| stands between printenv and grep)

Answer 1

The second name of a FIFO is named pipe.

It is a duplex communication pipe used for data transfer between pipe server and pipe clients. Every instance of such a pipe would share one pipe name but have different buffers for communication.

Difference between a | and a FIFO:

| represents pipe. A FIFO and a pipe are very much alike.

• The main difference between both is the naming system. A FIFO will have a name in the file system. Whereas Pipe or | doesn't have a name in the filesystem.
• FIFO is named entity. Pipe is an unnamed entity.
• FIFO offers duplex communication. Pipe or | offers a simplex communication mechanism.
• FIFO is bi-directional. Pipe is unidirectional.
• FIFO allows permissions and ownership control. Pipe doesn't offer such a facility.
• Communication in FIFO is among unrelated processes. Communication in Pipe is among related processes with common ancestors.