File locking in Linux

[xailer]

hi

I don't get the whole atomic file locking in Linux.
First,are they called lock files because they restrict access to only program that created them?

Also,lock files act only as indicators and are termed advisory.
Indicators of what?And why are they termed advisory?

thank you

bye

 

[Salem]

> And why are they termed advisory?
Because a program can choose to ignore them.
Two programs which share a file have to agree to use locks in a specific way if it is to work as expected.

If you want mandatory locking, then I think there is an option you have to specify when the file system itself is mounted. This obviously requires some work from your sys-admin.

The bottom of the flock manual page (SEE ALSO) tells you more about it.

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