Inter-process Communication
     
         (IPC) Exchange of data between
        one process and another, either within the same computer or
        over a network.  It implies a protocol that guarantees a
        response to a request.  Examples are Unix sockets, RISC
        OS's messages, OS/2's Named Pipes, Microsoft Windows'
        DDE, Novell's SPX and Macintosh's IAC.
     
        Although IPC is performed automatically by programs, an
        analogous function can be performed interactively when users
        cut and paste data from one process to another using a
        clipboard.
     
        (1995-12-14)