(IPC) Exchange of data between one process and another, either within the same computer or over a network. It implies a protocol that guarantees a response to a request. Examples are Unixsockets, {RISC OS}' s messages, {OS/2}' s {Named Pipes}, {Microsoft Windows}' DDE, Novell' s SPX and Macintosh' s IAC. Although IPC is performed automatically by programs, an analogous function can be performed interactively when users cut and paste data from one process to another using a clipboard. (1995-12-14)
