Thread: How to properly use flock()

  1. #1
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    How to properly use flock()

    I am making a call to flock() and getting the error
    " warning: passing arg 1 of `flock' makes integer from pointer without a cast"
    when I try to compile. I am running FreeBSD and using gcc.

    Code:
      flock(logfile,LOCK_EX);/*lock log file*/
      fputs("client logged in",logfile);
      flock(logfile,LOCK_UN);/*unlock log file*/
    logfile is declared like this
    Code:
    FILE *logfile;
    this is my first time every using flock(), it seems like it would be much easier than using POSIX semaphores. Does anyone know why I am getting this error? The fputs() call does not give me any errors at compile time.

    thanks in advance

  2. #2
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    Read the man page for it. Then actually call it right. It uses a file descriptor. A descriptor is not the same thing as a "FILE*".

    Quzah.
    Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

  3. #3
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    sorry, I did read the man page for it, I just didn't catch that is was asking for a file descriptor.

    is there anyway to get the file descriptor from the file pointer?

  4. #4
    ATH0 quzah's Avatar
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    Originally posted by samps005
    is there anyway to get the file descriptor from the file pointer?
    Do you need a file pointer? You could always use open instead. Or if you need a file pointer, I'm pretty sure there's a way to do it, but the function name escapes me at this time.

    Quzah.
    Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

  5. #5
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    yeah, I need the file pointer most of my other code needs it. Does anyone else know of a function to get a file descriptor from a file pointer? Or maybe just another really simple way to lock a file?

  6. #6
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    stat() might help you
    -luke
    I'm with
    <----------- newb!

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