Editing Open Sound System (section)

== API ==
The API is designed to use the traditional Unix framework of open(), read(), write(), and ioctl(), via [[device file]]s. For instance, the default device for sound input and output is '''/dev/dsp'''. Examples using the shell:

 cat [[/dev/random]] > /dev/dsp # plays [[white noise]] through the speaker
 cat /dev/dsp > a.a # reads data from the microphone and copies it to file a.a

OSS implements the [[/dev/audio]] interface. Detailed access to individual sound devices is provided via the {{tt|/dev/oss}} directory. OSS also has MIDI support in {{tt|/dev/sequencer}}, {{tt|/dev/music}} (both legacy) and {{tt|/dev/mini}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=OSS v4.x API reference - OSS API basics |url=http://manuals.opensound.com/developer/ossapi.html |website=manuals.opensound.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Open Sound System (3.x) Programmer's Guide |url=http://www.opensound.com/pguide/oss.pdf |access-date=22 February 2023 |date=2000}}</ref>

On Linux, OSS4 is also able to emulate [[Advanced Linux Sound Architecture|ALSA]], its open-source replacement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tips And Tricks - Open Sound System |url=http://www.opensound.com/wiki/index.php/Tips_And_Tricks#ALSA_Emulation |website=ossnext.trueinstruments.com}}</ref>