AF_UNIX domain - why use local file names only?

Question

When using socket in the UNIX domain, it is advisable to use path name for the directory directory mounted on the local disk. The UNIX domain only allows inte

Answer 1

The end-points of UNIX domain sockets are represented by files in the file system (instead of by host / port).

However the communication between processes is done within the local system and does not result in a seekable file getting stored anywhere.

The advantage of using the file system as the namespace for the end-points is that normal file permissions and ACLs can be applied - if you can't open the end-point you can't connect. IP sockets have no such mechanism.