ioctls are also known as generic system calls. Its a simple switch case implementation inside a device. you send command and argument through ioctls as parameters. Its a way you use to interact with the device itself. for using it just open the device and use its fd to invoke ioctls. for eg. fd = open("/dev/mydev", O_RDONLY); ioctl(fd, cmd, argument); its internal representation is something like: ioctl( struct file *, struct inode*, unsigned int cmd, unsigned long arg) { switch(cmd) { case 1: ....... case 2: ......... } } for more details refer Beginning Linux Programming. I hope that helps. On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 4:35 PM, rishi agrawal <postrishi@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > If you are new to Kernel Programming then you should go to The Latest > version of The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide > > just google for it > > On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 3:15 PM, niamathullah sharief <shariefbe@xxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote: >> >> i know that "ioctl()" is an system call....but can anyone tell me how it >> works...from where it called....? >> ________________________________ >> Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now. > > > -- > Regards, > Rishi B. Agrawal > > -- To unsubscribe from this list: send an email with "unsubscribe kernelnewbies" to ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxx Please read the FAQ at http://kernelnewbies.org/FAQ