> > I wonder if a close() of the last descriptor to a file should do an implicit
> > flush()
> 
> If you mean fsync(), then no.

How much of a performance hit would scheduling the write of blocks associated
with a file (including the inode) when the file is closed actually be?

I suspect that these writes will have to be done anyway!
Clearly there is no need to do them synchronously on the close.

FYI adding:

all:    sync <targets>
        sync

sync:
        sync

to a makefile tends to protect your source files...


    David