File: gawk.info,  Node: Special Network,  Next: Special Caveats,  Prev: Other Inherited Files,  Up: Special Files

5.8.2 Special Files for Network Communications
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'gawk' programs can open a two-way TCP/IP connection, acting as either a
client or a server.  This is done using a special file name of the form:

     /NET-TYPE/PROTOCOL/LOCAL-PORT/REMOTE-HOST/REMOTE-PORT

   The NET-TYPE is one of 'inet', 'inet4', or 'inet6'.  The PROTOCOL is
one of 'tcp' or 'udp', and the other fields represent the other
essential pieces of information for making a networking connection.
These file names are used with the '|&' operator for communicating with
a coprocess (*note Two-way I/O::).  This is an advanced feature,
mentioned here only for completeness.  Full discussion is delayed until
*note TCP/IP Networking::.