NAME

buffer_mode − set the buffering mode for output primitives. 

SYNOPSIS

C SYNTAX

void buffer_mode(fildes,on);
int fildes,on;

FORTRAN77 SYNTAX

        subroutine buffer_mode(fildes,on)
        integer*4 fildes,on

PASCAL SYNTAX

procedure buffer_mode(fildes,on;integer);

HP-UX COMPATIBILITY

Level: HP-UX/STANDARD

Origin: HP

DESCRIPTION

INPUT PARAMETERS

fildes
is an integer file descriptor returned by gopen when an I/O path to a graphic device is opened. 
on
is set to TRUE (1) for buffered mode and to FALSE (0) for non-buffered mode. Use 1 and 0 with Pascal since TRUE and FALSE are reserved words.

DISCUSSION

Buffer_mode is used to enable or disable buffering of output data for graphic output primitives.  Typically, device drivers buffer up output primitives.  When the buffer is full, or a make_picture_current is performed, the device is locked to prevent other processes from interfering, the buffer is processed, and finally the device is unlocked.  With buffering disabled make_picture_current is called automatically after every Starbase output primitive procedure.  Because of overhead involved in locking and unlocking the device, the system performance can be substantially impaired when buffering is disabled.  A more efficient way to ensure an updated display is to invoke make_picture_current after a group of primitives have been processed.  Disabling buffering may be helpful when debugging a program that uses Starbase routines. 

DEFAULTS

Buffering on (TRUE). 

SEE ALSO

Make_picture_current(3g)

Hewlett-Packard  —  last mod. May 11, 2021