Message Queue IPC System

This project demonstrates interprocess communication (IPC) using System V message queues in C/C++. It focuses on safe and structured message passing between processes, illustrating how operating systems support asynchronous communication without shared memory.

✨ Features

• IPC using System V message queues
• Structured message definitions
• Explicit send/receive logic
• Clear separation of interface and implementation
• Error-aware message handling

🛠️ Technologies Used

• C / C++
• Linux System V IPC
  • Message queues
• GCC / G++

📁 Project Structure

.
├── Message_que.h            # Message queue interface and structures
├── Message_que.cpp          # Message queue implementation
└── Message_que_demo.cpp     # Driver / test program

⚙️ How It Works

• A message queue is created using a unique key.
• Messages are packaged into structured formats.
• Sending processes enqueue messages into the system queue.
• Receiving processes dequeue messages based on type.
• The OS ensures ordered, safe delivery without shared memory.
• This approach avoids race conditions common in shared-memory designs and highlights OS-managed synchronization.

🧪 Build & Run

Compile using G++:

g++ message_queue_demo.cpp Message_que.cpp -o Message_queue_demo

Run:

./message_queue_demo

⚠️ This program is intended to be run on a Linux-based system with System V IPC support.

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📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

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👤 Author

Hannah G. Simon