file descriptor

[/faɪl dɪˈskrɪptər/]
nounmasculinepl: file descriptors
descritor de arquivo
1. A non-negative integer that uniquely identifies an open file or input/output resource associated with a process in Unix-like operating systems
The file descriptor 0 is reserved for standard input in most Unix systems.
O descritor de arquivo 0 é reservado para entrada padrão na maioria dos sistemas Unix.
2. An abstract indicator used by a program to access a file, socket, or pipe
When you open a file, the operating system returns a file descriptor that your program can use for reading or writing.
Quando você abre um arquivo, o sistema operacional retorna um descritor de arquivo que seu programa pode usar para leitura ou escrita.
3. A reference maintained by the kernel to track open files and their properties
Each process has its own file descriptor table that maps descriptors to actual file objects.
Cada processo tem sua própria tabela de descritores de arquivo que mapeia descritores para objetos de arquivo reais.
This is a fundamental concept in Unix/Linux programming and systems administration, deeply embedded in the culture of open-source software development. Brazilian software engineers commonly use 'descritor de arquivo' in technical documentation, while the abbreviation 'fd' is nearly universal across Portuguese-speaking tech communities. Understanding file descriptors is considered essential knowledge for any systems programmer in both Brazilian and international IT environments.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
file handlefile pointerfd (abbreviation)stream descriptor

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
descritor de arquivo
Standard technical term used in software development and systems programming
Portugal
descritor de ficheiro
Uses 'ficheiro' instead of 'arquivo' following Portuguese terminology
Technical Communities
fd (abreviação comum)
Often abbreviated as 'fd' in code and technical documentation across all regions

Related Words

standard input (stdin)standard output (stdout)standard error (stderr)file descriptor tableopen filesocketpipeinode

Related Idioms & Phrases

close a file descriptor
redirect a file descriptor
leak a file descriptor
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