sem_destroy()

Purpose

Destroys an unnamed POSIX semaphore initialized by sem_init().

Header

#include <semaphore.h>

Prototype

int sem_destroy(sem_t *sem);

Parameters

• sem: pointer to a POSIX semaphore.

Return Value

• Success: returns 0.
• Failure: returns -1 and sets errno.

Minimal Example

sem_destroy(&shared->items);
sem_destroy(&shared->spaces);

Common Pitfalls

• Only destroy a semaphore when no process or thread may still use it.
• Destroying a process-shared semaphore is usually the responsibility of the creator/owner.
• sem_destroy() does not release shared memory.

Related Topics

• IPC