This has come up several times in the past. Basically, when merc/diku were developed computers didn't have quite the... "strength" they have now. What this does is opens a file. It keeps the file open throughout the course of the mud running. Whenever a new file is opened this is closed, and then when the new file is closed the NULL_FILE is opened again.
The reason is because each process has a limit of open file descriptors. (Connected sockets are open file descriptors). If you run out, as it was more possible in the past, then opening a new file would fail, the mud would not function as expected or crash. Leaving a file open guarantees you've always got ONE free file descriptor. However, and here's where the religious war starts.... It's not much needed today. open file descriptors are configurable on almost EVERY unix like OS, so if you really need then, you can increase the OS's variable. Linux by default, allocated 1024 file descriptors per process. Unless you have alot of players, and alot of open files, you don't exceed this too quickly. There are other things to do... and other's will give their suggestions.. but I removed mine. Jason > -----Original Message----- > From: Alexander Speransky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 4:44 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: NULL_FILE > > > Hello! > > > * The NULL_FILE is held open so that we have a stream handle > in reserve, > * so players can go ahead and telnet to all the other descriptors. > * Then we close it whenever we need to open a file (e.g. a > save file). > #define PLAYER_DIR "../player/" /* Player files */ > #define GOD_DIR "../gods/" /* list of gods */ > #define TEMP_FILE "../player/romtmp" > >#define NULL_FILE "/dev/null" /* To > reserve one stream */ > > > Can anyone tell me for what this file used ? I cannot understand.. > Why I need it? > > PS I read comments, but cannot find an answer. > > > -- > Best regards, > Alexander mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > -- > ROM mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.rom.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/rom >
