@c
@c COPYRIGHT (c) 1988-1998.
@c On-Line Applications Research Corporation (OAR).
@c All rights reserved.
@c
@c $Id$
@c
@chapter System Call Development Notes
This set of routines represents the application's interface to files and directories
under the RTEMS file system. All routines are compliant with POSIX standards if a
specific interface has been established. The list below represents the routines that have
been included as part of the application's interface.
@enumerate
@item access()
@item chdir()
@item chmod()
@item chown()
@item close()
@item closedir()
@item dup()
@item dup2()
@item fchmod()
@item fcntl()
@item fdatasync()
@item fpathconf()
@item fstat()
@item ioctl()
@item link()
@item lseek()
@item mkdir()
@item mkfifo()
@item mknod()
@item mount()
@item open()
@item opendir()
@item pathconf()
@item read()
@item readdir()
@item unmount()
@end enumerate
The sections that follow provide developmental information concerning each of these functions.
@page
@section access
@subheading File:
access.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on the stat() function. It acquires the current status
information for the specified file and then determines if the caller has the ability
to access the file for read, write or execute according to the mode argument to this
function.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine is layered on top of the stat() function. As long as the st_mode
element in the returned structure follow the standard UNIX conventions, this
function should support other file systems without alteration.
@page
@section chdir
@subheading File:
chdir.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will determine if the pathname that we are attempting to make that
current directory exists and is in fact a directory. If these conditions are met the
global indication of the current directory (rtems_filesystem_current) is set to the
rtems_filesystem_location_info_t structure that is returned by the
rtems_filesystem_evaluate_path() routine.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine is layered on the rtems_filesystem_evaluate_path() routine and the
file system specific OP table function node_type().
The routine node_type() must be a routine provided for each file system since it
must access the file systems node information to determine which of the
following types the node is:
@itemize @bullet
@item RTEMS_FILESYSTEM_DIRECTORY
@item RTEMS_FILESYSTEM_DEVICE
@item RTEMS_FILESYSTEM_HARD_LINK
@item RTEMS_FILESYSTEM_MEMORY_FILE
@end itemize
This acknowledges that the form of the node management information can vary
from one file system implementation to another.
RTEMS has a special global structure that maintains the current directory
location. This global variable is of type rtems_filesystem_location_info_t and is
called rtems_filesystem_current. This structure is not always valid. In order to
determine if the structure is valid, you must first test the node_access element of
this structure. If the pointer is NULL, then the structure does not contain a valid
indication of what the current directory is.
@page
@section chmod
@subheading File:
chmod.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on the open(), fchmod () and close () functions. As long as
the standard interpretation of the mode_t value is maintained, this routine should
not need modification to support other file systems.
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine first determines if the selected file can be open with read/write access.
This is required to allow modification of the mode associated with the selected
path.
The fchmod() function is used to actually change the mode of the path using the
integer file descriptor returned by the open() function.
After mode modification, the open file descriptor is closed.
@page
@section chown
@subheading File:
chown.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on the rtems_filesystem_evaluate_path() and the file
system specific chown() routine that is specified in the OPS table for the file
system.
@subheading Development Comments:
rtems_filesystem_evaluate_path() is used to determine if the path specified
actually exists. If it does a rtems_filesystem_location_info_t structure will be
obtained that allows the shell function to locate the OPS table that is to be used
for this file system.
It is possible that the chown() function that should be in the OPS table is not
defined. A test for a non-NULL OPS table chown() entry is performed before the
function is called.
If the chown() function is defined in the indicated OPS table, the function is
called with the rtems_filesystem_location_info_t structure returned from the path
evaluation routine, the desired owner, and group information.
@page
@section close
@subheading File:
close.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will allow for the closing of both network connections and file
system devices. If the file descriptor is associated with a network device, the
appropriate network function handler will be selected from a table of previously
registered network functions (rtems_libio_handlers) and that function will be
invoked.
If the file descriptor refers to an entry in the file system, the appropriate handler
will be selected using information that has been placed in the file control block for
the device (rtems_libio_t structure).
@subheading Development Comments:
rtems_file_descriptor_type examines some of the upper bits of the file descriptor
index. If it finds that the upper bits are set in the file descriptor index, the device
referenced is a network device.
Network device handlers are obtained from a special registration table
(rtems_libio_handlers) that is set up during network initialization. The network
handler invoked and the status of the network handler will be returned to the
calling process.
If none of the upper bits are set in the file descriptor index, the file descriptor
refers to an element of the RTEMS file system.
The following sequence will be performed for any file system file descriptor:
@enumerate
@item Use the rtems_libio_iop() function to obtain the rtems_libio_t structure for the
file descriptor
@item Range check the file descriptor using rtems_libio_check_fd()
@item Determine if there is actually a function in the selected handler table that
processes the close() operation for the file system and node type selected.
This is generally done to avoid execution attempts on functions that have not
been implemented.
@item If the function has been defined it is invoked with the file control block
pointer as its argument.
@item The file control block that was associated with the open file descriptor is
marked as free using rtems_libio_free().
@item The return code from the close handler is then passed back to the calling
program.
@end enumerate
@page
@section closedir
@subheading File:
closedir.c
@subheading Processing:
The code was obtained from the BSD group. This routine must clean up the
memory resources that are required to track an open directory. The code is layered
on the close() function and standard memory free () functions. It should not
require alterations to support other file systems.
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine alters the file descriptor and the index into the DIR structure to make
it an invalid file descriptor. Apparently the memory that is about to be freed may
still be referenced before it is reallocated.
The dd_buf structure's memory is reallocated before the control structure that
contains the pointer to the dd_buf region.
DIR control memory is reallocated.
The close() function is used to free the file descriptor index.
@page
@section dup() Unimplemented
@subheading File:
dup.c
@subheading Processing:
@subheading Development Comments:
@page
@section dup2() Unimplemented
@subheading File:
dup2.c
@subheading Processing:
@subheading Development Comments:
@page
@section fchmod
@subheading File:
fchmod.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will alter the permissions of a node in a file system. It is layered on
the following functions and macros:
@itemize @bullet
@item rtems_file_descriptor_type()
@item rtems_libio_iop()
@item rtems_libio_check_fd()
@item rtems_libio_check_permissions()
@item fchmod() function that is referenced by the handler table in the file control block associated with this file descriptor
@end itemize
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine will test to see if the file descriptor index is associated with a network
connection. If it is, an error is returned from this routine.
The file descriptor index is used to obtain the associated file control block.
The file descriptor value is range checked.
The file control block is examined to determine if it has write permissions to
allow us to alter the mode of the file.
A test is made to determine if the handler table that is referenced in the file
control block contains an entry for the fchmod() handler function. If it does not,
an error is returned to the calling routine.
If the fchmod() handler function exists, it is called with the file control block and
the desired mode as parameters.
@page
@section fcntl()
@subheading File:
fcntl.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine currently only interacts with the file control block. If the structure of
the file control block and the associated meanings do not change, the partial
implementation of fcntl() should remain unaltered for other file system
implementations.
@subheading Development Comments:
The only commands that have been implemented are the F_GETFD and
F_SETFD. The commands manipulate the LIBIO_FLAGS_CLOSE_ON_EXEC
bit in the -flags- element of the file control block associated with the file
descriptor index.
The current implementation of the function performs the sequence of operations
below:
@enumerate
@item Test to see if we are trying to operate on a file descriptor associated with a
network connection
@item Obtain the file control block that is associated with the file descriptor index
@item Perform a range check on the file descriptor index.
@end enumerate
@page
@section fdatasync
@subheading File:
fdatasync.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is a template in the in memory file system that will route us to the
appropriate handler function to carry out the fdatasync() processing. In the in
memory file system this function is not necessary. Its function in a disk based file
system that employs a memory cache is to flush all memory based data buffers to
disk. It is layered on the following functions and macros:
@itemize @bullet
@item rtems_file_descriptor_type()
@item rtems_libio_iop()
@item rtems_libio_check_fd()
@item rtems_libio_check_permissions()
@item fdatasync() function that is referenced by the handler table in the file control block associated with this file descriptor
@end itemize
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine will test to see if the file descriptor index is associated with a network
connection. If it is, an error is returned from this routine.
The file descriptor index is used to obtain the associated file control block.
The file descriptor value is range checked.
The file control block is examined to determine if it has write permissions to the
file.
A test is made to determine if the handler table that is referenced in the file
control block contains an entry for the fdatasync() handler function. If it does not
an error is returned to the calling routine.
If the fdatasync() handler function exists, it is called with the file control block as
its parameter.
@page
@section fpathconf
@subheading File:
fpathconf.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on the following functions and macros:
@itemize @bullet
@item rtems_file_descriptor_type()
@item rtems_libio_iop()
@item rtems_libio_check_fd()
@item rtems_libio_check_permissions()
@end itemize
When a file system is mounted, a set of constants is specified for the file system.
These constants are stored with the mount table entry for the file system. These
constants appear in the POSIX standard and are listed below.
@itemize @bullet
@item PCLINKMAX
@item PCMAXCANON
@item PCMAXINPUT
@item PCNAMEMAX
@item PCPATHMAX
@item PCPIPEBUF
@item PCCHOWNRESTRICTED
@item PCNOTRUNC
@item PCVDISABLE
@item PCASYNCIO
@item PCPRIOIO
@item PCSYNCIO
@end itemize
This routine will find the mount table information associated the file control block
for the specified file descriptor parameter. The mount table entry structure
contains a set of file system specific constants that can be accessed by individual
identifiers.
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine will test to see if the file descriptor index is associated with a network
connection. If it is, an error is returned from this routine.
The file descriptor index is used to obtain the associated file control block.
The file descriptor value is range checked.
The file control block is examined to determine if it has read permissions to the
file.
Pathinfo in the file control block is used to locate the mount table entry for the
file system associated with the file descriptor.
The mount table entry contains the pathconf_limits_and_options element. This
element is a table of constants that is associated with the file system.
The name argument is used to reference the desired constant from the
pathconf_limits_and_options table.
@page
@section fstat
@subheading File:
fstat.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will return information concerning a file or network connection. If
the file descriptor is associated with a network connection, the current
implementation of fstat() will return a mode set to S_IFSOCK. In a later version,
this routine will map the status of a network connection to an external handler
routine.
If the file descriptor is associated with a node under a file system, the fstat()
routine will map to the fstat() function taken from the node handler table.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine validates that the struct stat pointer is not NULL so that the return
location is valid.
The struct stat is then initialized to all zeros.
Rtems_file_descriptor_type() is then used to determine if the file descriptor is
associated with a network connection. If it is, network status processing is
performed. In the current implementation, the file descriptor type processing
needs to be improved. It currently just drops into the normal processing for file
system nodes.
If the file descriptor is associated with a node under a file system, the following
steps are performed:
@enumerate
@item Obtain the file control block that is associated with the file descriptor
index.
@item Range check the file descriptor index.
@item Test to see if there is a non-NULL function pointer in the handler table
for the fstat() function. If there is, invoke the function with the file
control block and the pointer to the stat structure.
@end enumerate
@page
@section ioctl
@subheading File:
ioctl.c
@subheading Processing:
Not defined in the POSIX 1003.1b standard but commonly supported in most
UNIX and POSIX system. Ioctl() is a catchall for I/O operations. Routine is
layered on external network handlers and file system specific handlers. The
development of new file systems should not alter the basic processing performed
by this routine.
@subheading Development Comments:
The file descriptor is examined to determine if it is associated with a network
device. If it is processing is mapped to an external network handler. The value
returned by this handler is then returned to the calling program.
File descriptors that are associated with a file system undergo the following
processing:
@enumerate
@item The file descriptor index is used to obtain the associated file control block.
@item The file descriptor value is range checked.
@item A test is made to determine if the handler table that is referenced in the file
control block contains an entry for the ioctl() handler function. If it does
not, an error is returned to the calling routine.
@item If the ioctl() handler function exists, it is called with the file control block,
the command and buffer as its parameters.
@item The return code from this function is then sent to the calling routine.
@end enumerate
@page
@section link
@subheading File:
link.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will establish a hard link to a file, directory or a device. The target of
the hard link must be in the same file system as the new link being created. A link
to an existing link is also permitted but the existing link is evaluated before the
new link is made. This implies that links to links are reduced to links to files,
directories or devices before they are made.
@subheading Development Comments:
Calling parameters:
const char *existing
const char *new
Link() will determine if the target of the link actually exists using
rtems_filesystem_evaluate_path()
Rtems_filesystem_get_start_loc() is used to determine where to start the path
evaluation of the new name. This macro examines the first characters of the name
to see if the name of the new link starts with a rtems_filesystem_is_separator. If it
does the search starts from the root of the RTEMS file system; otherwise the
search will start from the current directory.
The OPS table evalformake() function for the parent's file system is used to
locate the node that will be the parent of the new link. It will also locate the start
of the new path's name. This name will be used to define a child under the parent
directory.
If the parent is found, the routine will determine if the hard link that we are trying
to create will cross a file system boundary. This is not permitted for hard-links.
If the hard-link does not cross a file system boundary, a check is performed to
determine if the OPS table contains an entry for the link() function.
If a link() function is defined, the OPS table link () function will be called to
establish the actual link within the file system.
The return code from the OPS table link() function is returned to the calling
program.
@page
@section lseek
@subheading File:
lseek.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on both external handlers and file system / node type
specific handlers. This routine should allow for the support of new file systems
without modification.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine will determine if the file descriptor is associated with a network
device. If it is lseek will map to an external network handler. The handler will be
called with the file descriptor, offset and whence as its calling parameters. The
return code from the external handler will be returned to the calling routine.
If the file descriptor is not associated with a network connection, it is associated
with a node in a file system. The following steps will be performed for file system nodes:
@enumerate
@item The file descriptor is used to obtain the file control block for the node.
@item The file descriptor is range checked.
@item The offset element of the file control block is altered as indicated by
the offset and whence calling parameters
@item The handler table in the file control block is examined to determine if
it contains an entry for the lseek() function. If it does not an error is
returned to the calling program.
@item The lseek() function from the designated handler table is called with
the file control block, offset and whence as calling arguments
@item The return code from the lseek() handler function is returned to the
calling program
@end enumerate
@page
@section mkdir
@subheading File:
mkdir.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine attempts to create a directory node under the file system. The routine
is layered the mknod() function.
@subheading Development Comments:
See mknod() for developmental comments.
@page
@section mkfifo
@subheading File:
mkfifo.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine attempts to create a FIFO node under the file system. The routine is
layered the mknod() function.
@subheading Development Comments:
See mknod() for developmental comments
@page
@section mknod
@subheading File:
mknod.c
@subheading Processing:
This function will allow for the creation of the following types of nodes under the
file system:
@itemize @bullet
@item directories
@item regular files
@item character devices
@item block devices
@item fifos
@end itemize
At the present time, an attempt to create a FIFO will result in an ENOTSUP error
to the calling function. This routine is layered the file system specific routines
evalformake and mknod. The introduction of a new file system must include its
own evalformake and mknod function to support the generic mknod() function.
Under this condition the generic mknod() function should accommodate other
file system types without alteration.
@subheading Development Comments:
Test for nodal types - I thought that this test should look like the following code:
@example
if ( (mode & S_IFDIR) = = S_IFDIR) ||
(mode & S_IFREG) = = S_IFREG) ||
(mode & S_IFCHR) = = S_IFCHR) ||
(mode & S_IFBLK) = = S_IFBLK) ||
(mode & S_IFIFO) = = S_IFIFO))
Set_errno_and_return_minus_one (EINVAL);
@end example
Where:
@itemize @bullet
@item S_IFREG (0100000) - Creation of a regular file
@item S_IFCHR (0020000) - Creation of a character device
@item S_IFBLK (0060000) - Creation of a block device
@item S_IFIFO (0010000) - Creation of a FIFO
@end itemize
Determine if the pathname that we are trying to create starts at the root directory
or is relative to the current directory using the rtems_filesystem_get_start_loc()
function.
Determine if the pathname leads to a valid directory that can be accessed for the
creation of a node.
If the pathname is a valid location to create a node, verify that a file system
specific mknod() function exists.
If the mknod() function exists, call the file system specific mknod () function.
Pass the name, mode, device type and the location information associated with the
directory under which the node will be created.
@page
@section mount
@subheading File:
mount.c
Arguments (Not a standard POSIX call):
Rtems_filesystem_mount_table_entry_t **mt_entry,
If the mount operation is successful, this pointer to a pointer will be set to
reference the mount table chain entry that has been allocated for this file
system mount.
rtems_filesystem_operations_table *fs_ops,
This is a pointer to a table of functions that are associated with the file
system that we are about to mount. This is the mechanism to selected file
system type without keeping a dynamic database of all possible file
system types that are valid for the mount operation. Using this method, it
is only necessary to configure the file systems that we wish to use into the
RTEMS build. Unused file systems types will not be drawn into the build.
char *fsoptions,
This argument points to a string that selects mounting for read only access
or read/write access. Valid states are "RO" and "RW"
char *device,
This argument is reserved for the name of a device that will be used to
access the file system information. Current file system implementations
are memory based and do not require a device to access file system
information.
char *mount_point
This is a pathname to a directory in a currently mounted file system that
allows read, write and execute permissions.
@subheading Processing:
This routine will handle the mounting of a file system on a mount point. If the
operation is successful, a pointer to the mount table chain entry associated with
the mounted file system will be returned to the calling function. The specifics
about the processing required at the mount point and within the file system being
mounted is isolated in the file system specific mount() and fsmount_me ()
functions. This allows the generic mount() function to remain unaltered even if
new file system types are introduced.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine will use get_file_system_options() to determine if the mount options
are valid ("RO" or "RW").
It confirms that a file system ops-table has been selected.
Space is allocated for a mount table entry and selective elements of the temporary
mount table entry are initialized.
If a mount point is specified:
The mount point is examined to determine that it is a directory and also
has the appropriate permissions to allow a file system to be mounted.
The current mount table chain is searched to determine that there is not
another file system mounted at the mount point we are trying to mount
onto.
If a mount function is defined in the ops table for the file system
containing the mount point, it is called at this time.
If no mount point is specified:
Processing if performed to set up the mount table chain entry as the base
file system.
If the fsmount_me() function is specified for ops-table of the file system being
mounted, that function is called to initialize for the new file system.
On successful completion, the temporary mount table entry will be placed on the
mount table chain to record the presence of the mounted file system.
@page
@section open
@subheading File:
open.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on both RTEMS calls and file system specific
implementations of the open() function. These functional interfaces should not
change for new file systems and therefore this code should be stable as new file
systems are introduced.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine will allocate a file control block for the file or device that we are
about to open.
It will then test to see if the pathname exists. If it does a
rtems_filesystem_location_info_t data structure will be filled out. This structure
contains information that associates node information, file system specific
functions and mount table chain information with the pathname.
If the create option has been it will attempt to create a node for a regular file along
the specified path. If a file already exists along this path, an error will be
generated; otherwise, a node will be allocated for the file under the file system
that contains the pathname. When a new node is created, it is also evaluated so
that an appropriate rtems_filesystem_location_info_t data structure can be filled
out for the newly created node.
If the file exists or the new file was created successfully, the file control block
structure will be initialized with handler table information, node information and
the rtems_filesystem_location_info_t data structure that describes the node and
file system data in detail.
If an open() function exists in the file system specific handlers table for the node
that we are trying to open, it will be called at this time.
If any error is detected in the process, cleanup is performed. It consists of freeing
the file control block structure that was allocated at the beginning of the generic
open() routine.
On a successful open(), the index into the file descriptor table will be calculated
and returned to the calling routine.
@page
@section opendir
@subheading File:
opendir.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will attempt to open a directory for read access. It will setup a DIR
control structure that will be used to access directory information. This routine is
layered on the generic open() routine and file system specific directory
processing routines.
@subheading Development Comments:
The BSD group provided this routine.
@page
@section pathconf
@subheading File:
pathconf.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will obtain the value of one of the path configuration parameters and
return it to the calling routine. It is layered on the generic open() and fpathconf ()
functions. These interfaces should not change with the addition of new file system
types.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine will try to open the file indicated by path.
If successful, the file descriptor will be used to access the pathconf value specified
by -name- using the fpathconf() function.
The file that was accessed is then closed.
@page
@section read
@subheading File:
deviceio.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine is layered on a set of RTEMS calls and file system specific read
operations. The functions are layered in such a way as to isolate them from
change as new file systems are introduced.
@subheading Development Comments:
This routine will examine the type of file descriptor it is sent.
If the file descriptor is associated with a network device, the read function will be
mapped to a special network handler. The return code from the network handler
will then be sent as the return code from generic read() function.
For file descriptors that are associated with the file system the following sequence
will be performed:
@enumerate
@item Obtain the file control block associated with the file descriptor
@item Range check the file descriptor
@item Determine that the buffer pointer is not invalid
@item Check that the count is not zero
@item Check the file control block to see if we have permissions to read
@item If there is a read function in the handler table, invoke the handler table
read() function
@item Use the return code from the handler table read function(number of
bytes read) to increment the offset element of the file control block
@item Return the number of bytes read to the calling program
@end enumerate
@page
@section readdir
@subheading File:
readdir.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine was acquired from the BSD group. It has not been altered from its
original form.
@subheading Development Comments:
The routine calls a customized getdents() function that is provided by the user.
This routine provides the file system specific aspects of reading a directory.
It is layered on the read() function in the directory handler table. This function
has been mapped to the Imfs_dir_read() function.
@page
@section unmount
@subheading File:
unmount.c
@subheading Processing:
This routine will attempt to dismount a mounted file system and then free all
resources that were allocated for the management of that file system.
@subheading Development Comments:
@itemize @bullet
@item This routine will determine if there are any file systems currently mounted
under the file system that we are trying to dismount. This would prevent the
dismount of the file system.
@item It will test to see if the current directory is in the file system that we are
attempting to dismount. This would prevent the dismount of the file system.
@item It will scan all the currently open file descriptors to determine is there is an
open file descriptor to a file in the file system that we are attempting to
unmount().
@end itemize
If the above preconditions are met then the following sequence is performed:
@enumerate
@item Call the file system specific unmount() function for the file system that
contains the mount point. This routine should indicate that the mount point
no longer has a file system mounted below it.
@item Call the file system specific fsunmount_me() function for the mounted
file system that we are trying to unmount(). This routine should clean up
any resources that are no longer needed for the management of the file
system being un-mounted.
@item Extract the mount table entry for the file system that was just dismounted
from the mount table chain.
@item Free the memory associated with the extracted mount table entry.
@end enumerate
@page
@section eval
@subheading File:
XXX
@subheading Processing:
XXX
@subheading Development Comments:
XXX
@page
@section getdentsc
@subheading File:
XXX
@subheading Processing:
XXX
@subheading Development Comments:
XXX