semop(2)                                                              semop(2)


NAME
     semop - semaphore operations

SYNOPSIS
     #include <sys/types.h>
     #include <sys/ipc.h>
     #include <sys/sem.h>

     int semop(int semid, struct sembuf *sops, size_t nsops);

DESCRIPTION
     semop is used to perform atomically an array of semaphore operations on
     the set of semaphores associated with the semaphore identifier specified
     by semid.  sops is a pointer to the array of semaphore-operation
     structures.  nsops is the number of such structures in the array.  The
     contents of each structure includes the following members:

          short   sem_num;    /* semaphore number */
          short   sem_op;     /* semaphore operation */
          short   sem_flg;    /* operation flags */

     Each semaphore operation specified by sem_op is performed on the
     corresponding semaphore specified by semid and sem_num.

     sem_op specifies one of three semaphore operations as follows, depending
     on whether its value is negative, positive, or zero:

     If sem_op is a negative integer, one of the following occurs:  {ALTER}

          If semval [see intro(2)] is greater than or equal to the absolute
          value of sem_op, the absolute value of sem_op is subtracted from
          semval.  Also, if (sem_flg&SEM_UNDO) is true, the absolute value of
          sem_op is added to the calling process's semadj value [see exit(2)]
          for the specified semaphore.

          If semval is less than the absolute value of sem_op and
          (sem_flg&IPC_NOWAIT) is true, semop returns immediately.

          If semval is less than the absolute value of sem_op and
          (sem_flg&IPC_NOWAIT) is false, semop increments the semncnt
          associated with the specified semaphore and suspends execution of
          the calling process until one of the following conditions occur.

             semval becomes greater than or equal to the absolute value of
             sem_op.  When this occurs, the value of semncnt associated with
             the specified semaphore is decremented, the absolute value of
             sem_op is subtracted from semval and, if (sem_flg&SEM_UNDO) is
             true, the absolute value of sem_op is added to the calling
             process's semadj value for the specified semaphore.


             The semid for which the calling process is awaiting action is
             removed from the system [see semctl(2)].  When this occurs, errno
             is set equal to EIDRM, and a value of -1 is returned.

             The calling process receives a signal that is to be caught.  When
             this occurs, the value of semncnt associated with the specified
             semaphore is decremented, and the calling process resumes
             execution in the manner prescribed in signal(2).

     If sem_op is a positive integer, the value of sem_op is added to semval
     and, if (sem_flg&SEM_UNDO) is true, the value of sem_op is subtracted
     from the calling process's semadj value for the specified semaphore.  -
     {ALTER}

     If sem_op is zero, one of the following occurs:  {READ}

          If semval is zero, semop returns immediately.

          If semval is not equal to zero and (sem_flg&IPC_NOWAIT) is true,
          semop returns immediately.

          If semval is not equal to zero and (sem_flg&IPC_NOWAIT) is false,
          semop increments the semzcnt associated with the specified semaphore
          and suspends execution of the calling process until one of the
          following occurs:

             Semval becomes zero, at which time the value of semzcnt
             associated with the specified semaphore is decremented.

             The semid for which the calling process is awaiting action is
             removed from the system.  When this occurs, errno is set equal to
             EIDRM, and a value of -1 is returned.

             The calling process receives a signal that is to be caught.  When
             this occurs, the value of semzcnt associated with the specified
             semaphore is decremented, and the calling process resumes
             execution in the manner prescribed in signal(2).

     semop fails if one or more of the following are true for any of the
     semaphore operations specified by sops:

     EINVAL         semid is not a valid semaphore identifier.

     EFBIG          sem_num is less than zero or greater than or equal to the
                    number of semaphores in the set associated with semid.

     E2BIG          nsops is greater than the system-imposed maximum.

     EACCES         Operation permission is denied to the calling process [see
                    intro(2)].


     EAGAIN         The operation would result in suspension of the calling
                    process but (sem_flg&IPC_NOWAIT) is true.

     ENOSPC         The limit on the number of individual processes requesting
                    an SEM_UNDO would be exceeded.

     EINVAL         The number of individual semaphores for which the calling
                    process requests a SEM_UNDO would exceed the limit.

     ERANGE         An operation would cause a semval to overflow the system-
                    imposed limit.

     ERANGE         An operation would cause a semadj value to overflow the
                    system-imposed limit.

     EFAULT         sops points to an illegal address.

     EIDRM          A semid referenced by the call was removed from the
                    system.

     Other errors which can occur on semop are:

     EINTR          semop(2) was interrupted by a signal.

     Upon successful completion, the value of sempid for each semaphore
     specified in the array pointed to by sops is set equal to the process ID
     of the calling process.

SEE ALSO
     intro(2), exec(2), exit(2), fork(2), semctl(2), semget(2).

DIAGNOSTICS
     If semop returns due to the receipt of a signal, a value of -1 is
     returned to the calling process and errno is set to EINTR.  If it returns
     due to the removal of a semid from the system, a value of -1 is returned
     and errno is set to EIDRM.

     Upon successful completion, a value of zero is returned.  Otherwise, a
     value of -1 is returned and errno is set to indicate the error.


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