Terminology nit: "file descriptor" is the reference itself. "Open file descripti... | Hacker News

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		colanderman 4 months ago \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Why did dlclose not unload the library? (2023) Terminology nit: "file descriptor" is the reference itself. "Open file description" is the thing referenced. dup(2) and fork(2) create new file descriptors which reference the same underlying open file descriptions.

zbentley 4 months ago [–]

Correct, sorry! My phrasing was off-the-cuff and less than precise.

File descriptor = reference/pointer-ish thing.

File description = referenced data.

close(2) = decrement refcount to description by closing descriptor; actual destruction of the file's open-ness doesn't happen until refcount == 0.

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