X-Git-Url: https://diplodocus.org/git/nmh/blobdiff_plain/71458b3b2492943349f7693a46792756d5013c69..874931e3a3587c716e37d03f542f6e6bb2b76c8b:/docs/README.developers?ds=sidebyside

diff --git a/docs/README.developers b/docs/README.developers
index 76f650dc..1d3fd737 100644
--- a/docs/README.developers
+++ b/docs/README.developers
@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ commit checklist
 8. notify nmh-users?
 
 
+---------------------------------
+C library/system call usage notes
+---------------------------------
+* Use m_mktemp2() or m_mktemp() instead of mkstemp(3) (see section on
+  nmh temporary files below).
+* Use m_unlink() instead of unlink(3).
+* Use done() instead of _exit(3) except after a fork(3).
+
+
 -------------------------
 autoconf & automake files
 -------------------------
@@ -162,6 +171,21 @@ OS function  nmh-local version to use instead
 getpass()    nmh_getpass()
 
 
+-------------------
+nmh temporary files
+-------------------
+
+To create a temporary file, use m_mktemp2() or m_mktemp().  They use
+mkstemp(3), but they also register the temporary file for removal on
+program termination.  So, do not use mkstemp() directly.
+
+To further support this, nmh_init() must be called at the beginning of
+main().  And, if a child process is not going to immediately call one
+of the exec(3) functions or _exit(3) after a fork(3), it should call
+unregister_for_removal(0).  Finally, nmh_init() sets up signal handlers
+for several signals:  these signal handlers should not be disabled.
+
+
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 nmh test suite
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