I have two executables written in C++ on Windows. I generate some data in one, and want to call the other executable to process this data. I could write the data out to a file then read it in the other executable, but that seems rather expensive in terms of disk I/O. What is a better way of doing this? It seems like a simple enough question but google just isn't helping!
Let's say the data is around 100MB, and is generated in its entirety before needing to be sent (i.e. no streaming is needed).
Answers that work when mixing 32 bit and 64 bit processes gain bonus points.
If your processes can easily write to and read from file, just go ahead. Create the file with CreateFile and mark it as temporary & shareable. Windows uses this hint to delay physical writes, but all file semantics are still obeyed. Since your file is only 100 MB and actively in use, Windows is almost certainly able to keep its contents fully in RAM.