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I use it for the O_DIRECT flag (oflag=direct). Better progress report, and I know when to pull the stick.

Edit: Looks like O_SYNC (oflag=sync) is needed, too. Should update my 'sddd' alias.

Is it? I thought O_DIRECT implied O_SYNC, in practical terms?

So did I, but my man page (open(2)) cast doubts:

"The O_DIRECT flag on its own makes an effort to transfer data synchronously, but does not give the guarantees of the O_SYNC flag that data and necessary metadata are transferred."

While I don't think this is relevant to block devices, I see no harm in including the flag in my alias, either.

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