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## Class file_lock

boost::interprocess::file_lock

## Synopsis

    class file_lock {
    public:
      // construct/copy/destruct
      file_lock(const char *);
      ~file_lock();

      // public member functions
      void lock() ;
      bool try_lock() ;
      bool timed_lock(const boost::posix_time::ptime &) ;
      void unlock() ;
      void lock_sharable() ;
      bool try_lock_sharable() ;
      bool timed_lock_sharable(const boost::posix_time::ptime &) ;
      void unlock_sharable() ;
    };

## Description

A file lock, is a mutual exclusion utility similar to a mutex using a file. A file lock has sharable and exclusive locking capabilities and can be used with scoped_lock and sharable_lock classes. A file lock can't guarantee synchronization between threads of the same process so just use file locks to synchronize threads from different processes.

### `file_lock` public construct/copy/destruct

1.     file_lock(const char * name);

   Opens a file lock. Throws interprocess_exception if the file does not exist or there are no operating system resources.

2.     ~file_lock();

### `file_lock` public member functions

1.     void lock() ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to obtain exclusive ownership of the mutex, and if another thread has exclusive, or sharable ownership of the mutex, it waits until it can obtain the ownership. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

2.     bool try_lock() ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to acquire exclusive ownership of the mutex without waiting. If no other thread has exclusive, or sharable ownership of the mutex this succeeds. Returns: If it can acquire exclusive ownership immediately returns true. If it has to wait, returns false. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

3.     bool timed_lock(const boost::posix_time::ptime & abs_time) ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to acquire exclusive ownership of the mutex waiting if necessary until no other thread has has exclusive, or sharable ownership of the mutex or abs_time is reached. Returns: If acquires exclusive ownership, returns true. Otherwise returns false. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

4.     void unlock() ;

   Precondition: The thread must have exclusive ownership of the mutex. Effects: The calling thread releases the exclusive ownership of the mutex. Throws: An exception derived from interprocess_exception on error.

5.     void lock_sharable() ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to obtain sharable ownership of the mutex, and if another thread has exclusive ownership of the mutex, waits until it can obtain the ownership. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

6.     bool try_lock_sharable() ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to acquire sharable ownership of the mutex without waiting. If no other thread has has exclusive ownership of the mutex this succeeds. Returns: If it can acquire sharable ownership immediately returns true. If it has to wait, returns false. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

7.     bool timed_lock_sharable(const boost::posix_time::ptime & abs_time) ;

   Effects: The calling thread tries to acquire sharable ownership of the mutex waiting if necessary until no other thread has has exclusive ownership of the mutex or abs_time is reached. Returns: If acquires sharable ownership, returns true. Otherwise returns false. Throws: interprocess_exception on error.

8.     void unlock_sharable() ;

   Precondition: The thread must have sharable ownership of the mutex. Effects: The calling thread releases the sharable ownership of the mutex. Throws: An exception derived from interprocess_exception on error.