(coreutils.info)mknod invocation

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12.5 `mknod': Make block or character special files
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`mknod' creates a FIFO, character special file, or block special file
with the specified name.  Synopsis:

     mknod [OPTION]... NAME TYPE [MAJOR MINOR]

   Unlike the phrase "special file type" above, the term "special file"
has a technical meaning on Unix: something that can generate or receive
data.  Usually this corresponds to a physical piece of hardware, e.g.,
a printer or a disk.  (These files are typically created at
system-configuration time.)  The `mknod' command is what creates files
of this type.  Such devices can be read either a character at a time or
a "block" (many characters) at a time, hence we say there are "block
special" files and "character special" files.

   Due to shell aliases and built-in `mknod' command, using an
unadorned `mknod' interactively or in a script may get you different
functionality than that described here.  Invoke it via `env' (i.e.,
`env mknod ...') to avoid interference from the shell.

   The arguments after NAME specify the type of file to make:

`p'
     for a FIFO

`b'
     for a block special file

`c'
     for a character special file


   When making a block or character special file, the major and minor
device numbers must be given after the file type.  If a major or minor
device number begins with `0x' or `0X', it is interpreted as
hexadecimal; otherwise, if it begins with `0', as octal; otherwise, as
decimal.

   The program accepts the following option.  Also see Note: Common
options.

`-m MODE'
`--mode=MODE'
     Set the mode of created files to MODE, which is symbolic as in
     `chmod' and uses `a=rw' as the point of departure.  MODE should
     specify only file permission bits.  Note: File permissions.

`-Z CONTEXT'
`--context=CONTEXT'
     Set the default SELinux security context to be used for created
     files.


   An exit status of zero indicates success, and a nonzero value
indicates failure.