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(gawk.info)Special Network

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Special Files for Network Communications
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   Starting with version 3.1 of `gawk', `awk' programs can open a
two-way TCP/IP connection, acting as either a client or server.  This
is done using a special file name of the form:

     `/inet/PROTOCOL/LOCAL-PORT/REMOTE-HOST/REMOTE-PORT'

   The PROTOCOL is one of `tcp', `udp', or `raw', 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
Communications with Another Process.).  This is an
advanced feature, mentioned here only for completeness.  Full
discussion is delayed until *Note Using `gawk' for Network Programming:
TCP/IP Networking.