mknod(1M)mknod(1M)NAMEmknod - create special files
SYNOPSIS
name major minor
name major minor
name
DESCRIPTION
The command creates the following types of files:
· Character device special file (first form),
· Block device special file (second form),
· FIFO file, sometimes called a named pipe (third form).
name is the path name of the file to be created. The newly created
file has a default mode that is readable and writable by all users
(0666), but the mode is modified by the current setting of the user's
file mode creation mask (see umask(1)).
Character and Block Special Files
Character device special files are used for devices that can transfer
single bytes at a time, such as nine-track magnetic tape drives, print‐
ers, plotters, disk drives operating in "raw" mode, and terminals. To
create a character special file, use the argument.
Block device special files are used for devices that usually transfer a
block of data at a time, such as disk drives. To create a block device
special file, use the argument.
The remaining arguments specify the device that will be accessible
through the new special file:
major The major number specifies the major device type (for
example, the device driver number).
minor The minor number specifies the device location, which
is typically, but not always, the unit, drive, and/or
line number.
The major and minor values can each be specified in hexadecimal, octal,
or decimal, using C language conventions (decimal: no leading zero;
octal: leading zero; hexadecimal: leading
The assignment of major and minor device numbers is specific to each
HP-UX system. Refer to the System Administrator manuals supplied with
your system for details.
Only users who have appropriate privileges can use to create a charac‐
ter or block device special file.
FIFO files
To create a FIFO (named pipe or buffer) file, use the argument. You
can also use the command for this purpose (see mkfifo(1)). All users
can use to create FIFO files.
WARNINGS
Access Control Lists
In HFS file systems, optional ACL entries can be added to special files
and FIFOs with the command (see chacl(1)). In JFS file systems,
optional ACL entries can be added to special files and FIFOs with the
command (see setacl(1)). However, system programs are likely to
silently change or eliminate the optional ACL entries for these files.
SEE ALSOchacl(1), mkdir(1), mkfifo(1), setacl(1), umask(1), lsdev(1M), sam(1M),
mknod(2), acl(5), aclv(5), mknod(5).
HP-UX System Administrator manuals
STANDARDS CONFORMANCE
mknod: SVID2, SVID3, XPG2
mknod(1M)
