UNIX Sockets are more flexible than named pipes; * You can use them for more than two processes communicating (eg. a server process with potentially multiple c

UNIX Sockets are more flexible than named pipes; * You can use them for more than two processes communicating (eg. a server process with potentially multiple client processes connecting); * They are bidirectional; * They support passing kernel-verified UID / GID credentials between processes; * They support passing file descriptors between processes; * They support packet and sequenced packet modes. TCP only grants you 2 of these extra features (sequenced packet mode/bidirection), leaving a giant hole in security in the process.