xref: /csrg-svn/lib/libc/sys/sync.2 (revision 61186)
1*61186Sbostic.\" Copyright (c) 1980, 1991, 1993
2*61186Sbostic.\"	The Regents of the University of California.  All rights reserved.
320092Smckusick.\"
447208Scael.\" %sccs.include.redist.man%
520092Smckusick.\"
6*61186Sbostic.\"     @(#)sync.2	8.1 (Berkeley) 06/04/93
747208Scael.\"
847208Scael.Dd
947208Scael.Dt SYNC 2
1047208Scael.Os BSD 4
1147208Scael.Sh NAME
1247208Scael.Nm sync
1347208Scael.Nd "synchronize disk block in-core status with that on disk"
1447208Scael.Sh SYNOPSIS
1547208Scael.Fd #include <unistd.h>
1647208Scael.Ft void
1747208Scael.Fn sync void
1847208Scael.Sh DESCRIPTION
1947208ScaelThe
2047208Scael.Fn sync
2147208Scaelfunction forces a write of dirty (modified) buffers
2247208Scaelin the block buffer cache out
2347208Scaelto disk. The kernel keeps this information in core to reduce
2447208Scaelthe number of disk I/O transfers required by the system.
2547208ScaelAs information in the cache is lost after a system crash a
2647208Scael.Fn sync
2747208Scaelcall is issued
2847208Scaelfrequently
2947208Scaelby the user process
3047208Scael.Xr update 8
3147208Scael(about every 30 seconds).
3247208Scael.Pp
3347208ScaelThe function
3447208Scael.Xr fsync 2
3547208Scaelmay be used to synchronize individual file descriptor
3647208Scaelattributes.
3747208Scael.Sh SEE ALSO
3847208Scael.Xr fsync 2 ,
3947208Scael.Xr sync 8 ,
4047208Scael.Xr update 8
4147208Scael.Sh BUGS
4247208Scael.Fn Sync
4347208Scaelmay return before the buffers are completely flushed.
4447208Scael.Sh HISTORY
4547208ScaelA
4647208Scael.Nm
4747208Scaelfunction call appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.
48