What is "c-list"

In capability-based computer security, a C-list is an array of capabilities, usually associated with a process and maintained by the kernel. The program running in the process does not manipulate capabilities directly, but refers to them via C-list indexes—integers indexing into the C-list.

The file descriptor table in Unix is an example of a C-list. Unix processes do not manipulate file descriptors directly, but refer to them via file descriptor numbers, which are C-list indexes.

In the KeyKOS and EROS operating systems, a process's capability registers constitute a C-list.

C-list can refer to:

• A category of celebrities, originally referring to Hollywood actors; see A-list.
• C-list (computer security): In some implementations of capability-based security systems, a list of capabilities that a process or protection domain has direct permission to access.