Inter-Process Communication

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Inter-process Communication

   <programming, operating system> (IPC) Exchange of data between
   one {process} and another, either within the same computer or
   over a {network}.  It implies a {protocol} that guarantees a
   response to a request.  Examples are {Unix} {sockets}, {RISC
   OS}'s messages, {OS/2}'s {Named Pipes}, {Microsoft Windows}'
   {DDE}, {Novell}'s {SPX} and {Macintosh}'s IAC.

   Although IPC is performed automatically by programs, an
   analogous function can be performed interactively when users
   cut and paste data from one process to another using a
   {clipboard}.

   (1995-12-14)