Os Ipc Fifo Named Pipe

In this tutorial, you'll learn about How to Fix Named Pipe (FIFO) Errors. We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices.

Fix named pipe (fifo) errors when reader opens FIFO before writer causing blocking open.

Quick Fix

Wrong

import os
os.mkfifo('/tmp/myfifo')
f=open('/tmp/myfifo','r')  # blocks until writer opens!

Reader blocks at open(). If writer never comes, reader hangs forever.

Right

import os, select
os.mkfifo('/tmp/myfifo')
# Non-blocking open with timeout:
f=os.open('/tmp/myfifo', os.O_RDONLY | os.O_NONBLOCK)
# Or use select/poll for readiness:
import select
# Writer side:
wf=os.open('/tmp/myfifo', os.O_WRONLY)
os.write(wf, b'hello')
os.close(wf)
# Reader side:
rf=os.open('/tmp/myfifo', os.O_RDONLY)
data=os.read(rf, 1024)
print(data); os.close(rf); os.unlink('/tmp/myfifo')

'hello' printed. FIFO opened with checks. No blocking.

Prevention

FIFO open() blocks until both reader and writer open. Use O_NONBLOCK for non-blocking open.

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