About
A special file is a type of file that define devices for the system or temporary files created by processes.
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Type
There are three basic types of special files:
- FIFO (first-in, first-out),
- block,
- and character.
Block and character files define devices.
FIFO
FIFO files are also called pipes. Pipes are created by one process to temporarily allow communication with another process. These files cease to exist when the first process finishes.