Non-Buffered I/O
Non-buffered I/O is a method of input/output operations where data is transferred directly between a program and a device or file without using an intermediate buffer. This means each read or write call interacts immediately with the underlying system, bypassing caching mechanisms. It is often used in scenarios where low latency or direct control over data flow is critical.
Developers should use non-buffered I/O when they need real-time data processing, such as in audio/video streaming, network sockets, or hardware device communication, where buffering delays could cause issues. It is also useful for ensuring data integrity in critical applications, like logging or database transactions, by avoiding potential buffer corruption or loss during system failures.