Android C++ IPC using Boost.Interprocess - should it work?

Issue

Background:

I have working C++ code on linux that uses Boost IPC to access shared memory, and I want to port it to android. I downloaded and built the Boost-for-Android project found here: https://github.com/MysticTreeGames/Boost-for-Android.

Problem:

However when I try to create a boost named mutex like this:

boost::interprocess::named_mutex named_mtx(boost::interprocess::open_or_create, "my_mutex");

I get an exception saying "no such file or directory" with a native code 2.

Additional information:

When I searched for how to use shared memory on android, it looks ashmem and Binder are popular methods, and I can't find references to them at all in the ported Boost IPC code.

Questions:

1. What is the reason for the "no such file or directory" error?
2. Can someone confirm that the Boost-for-Android IPC part works?

Solution

By default Boost does not look for a common place where to share data on Android. It was not built this way. To make it work modify the file

    /boost/interprocess/detail/os_file_functions.hpp

Find the following line an add /sdcard

    const char *names[]={ "/sdcard", ......

After doing that use the library and give to your application Read/Write external storage permission.

You are good to go.

PD: Please be carefull. I have problems using Mutex and conditional variables in Android because the process was taking 100% the CPU.

Answered By - user3645767