STICKY(8) GENIX Programmer's Manual STICKY(8)
NAME
sticky - executable files with persistent text
DESCRIPTION
While the `sticky bit', mode 01000 (see chmod(2)), is set on a shar-
able executable file, the text of that file will not be removed from
the system swap area. Thus the file does not have to be fetched
from the file system upon each execution. As long as a copy remains
in the swap area, the original text cannot be overwritten in the
file system, nor can the file be deleted. (Directory entries can be
removed so long as one link remains.)
Sharable files are made by the -n and -z options of ld(1).
To replace a sticky file that has been used do: (1) Clear the sticky
bit with chmod(1). (2) Execute the old program to flush the swapped
copy. This can be done safely even if others are using it. (3)
Overwrite the sticky file. If the file is being executed by any
process, writing will be prevented; it suffices to simply remove the
file and then rewrite it, being careful to reset the owner and mode
with chmod and chown(2). (4) Set the sticky bit again.
Only the super-user can set the sticky bit.
BUGS
Are self-evident.
Is largely unnecessary on the VAX; matters only for large programs
that will page heavily to start, since text pages are normally
cached incore as long as possible after all instances of a text
image exit.
Printed 11/16/83 1