answersLogoWhite

0

What is block special in unix?

Updated: 11/6/2022
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Best Answer

In every Unix-like operating systems device files are used as interface to device drivers. Every device is represented in file system with a special file, these special files are called as Device Files.

There are two standard types of device files: character special and block special.

Character special files are used to interface character devices. Character devices transfer data in terms of character. Example of character devices mice, serial modems.

Block special files are used to interface block devices. Block devices transfer data interms of blocks. Example of block devices hard disks, CD-ROMs.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is block special in unix?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Which os treats hardware as a file system?

UNIX Q.How are devices represented in UNIX? A.Devices in UNIX are represented by files. These are special files located in the )dev directory. Hence in UNIX, every piece of hardware is a file. This device file allows us to access the hardware.UNIX represents all devices as files. These files are located in the directory /dev. That is why the devices and other files are accessed in a similar way.Devices file which is specified as 'block special file' with some similar characters of a disk file. A device which is specified as a 'character special file' with some characteristics that is similar to a keyboard.For instance, the following command; Less -f /dev/hda is not a file in the 'real' sense. When read, it is actually reading directly from the first physical hard disk of your machine.


How are devices treated in C plus plus?

On some platforms (unix, for example) devices are handled as special files.


What is the three categories of users in a Unix environment?

Unix has the following categories of users: Superuser - root account, can do anything on the system ordinary user - has no special privileges restricted user - is restricted in what they can do in the shell and programs they can run.


What is difference between block special file and character special file?

A block special file that provides access to a device that transfers in groups of a fixed size. For example, a disk. A character special file that provides access to a device that transfers in increments of a single character; for example, a terminal.


What is uucp?

UUCP is the abbriviation of Unix to Unix copy. It is worldwide email system called UUCP or Unix to Unix copy.This email system was developed for the operating system called Unix.


Is UNIX based on Linux?

No, but Linux is based on Unix since Linux is a Unix clone.


Who is Unix work performed by?

Unix work is performed by users of the unix system, for application and system programs, or anything that requires a Unix system.


What is a Unix Computer?

A computer that runs Unix.


What are the socket types in UNIX?

Unix commands


What is a Unix console?

A Unix console is a CLI interface through which to control or monitor a Unix computer.


What is Unix configuration?

Unix configuration is the process of tailoring a freshly installed version of Unix to your particular environment. Each Unix system may do that differently.


Which is better solaris or unix?

Solaris is a specific version of Unix; the term 'Unix' refers to a classification, and several vendors provide a Unix-like environment. So, in a sense, Unix and Solaris are the same thing.