create_unix_pipe - creates a unique UNIX pipe and returns its name

Name

	create_unix_pipe - creates a unique UNIX pipe and returns its
	name

Summary

	Name	create_unix_pipe
	Type	Output
	Inputs	NONE
	Outputs	pipe_filename - 	string
	Parameters
	Name		Type	Default	Choices
	path		typein			Text
	basename	typein			Text
	flush		oneshot

Description

  This module creates and sets up a unix pipe file, for communication
  between an AVS module and an external application. It makes
  unix system calls to create the pipe file, based on a typein name.
  It helps manage the use of the pipe, with options to flush, etc.
  It outputs the full pathname of the pipe, once established, for
  downstream modules to use for the communication.

Inputs

Parameters

path (typein)
	path for the UNIX pipe
basename (typein)
	basename for the pipe; a unique component is attached to this
flush (oneshot)
	re-execute the module without changing the name of the pipe.  this
	may be necessary to kick downstream modules into action.

Outputs

pipe_filename - string
	the name of the UNIX pipe

Example networks

	the UNIX pipe can be used to establish communications to processes
	which have been coded to use standard input for their user interface.
	To do this, turn your code into a module and allow it to take in the
	name of the UNIX pipe via an input port.  The UNIX pipe is openned 
	on channel 5 for standrard input (in the case of FORTRAN).  Input to
	the UNIX pipe can be provided by "string to file".  This is the first
	step in binding a command line-driven user interface into a GUI within
	AVS.

Related modules

See also