A channel that can be multiplexed via a Selector.

In order to be used with a selector, an instance of this class must first be registered via the register(Selector,int,Object) method. This method returns a new SelectionKey object that represents the channel's registration with the selector.

Once registered with a selector, a channel remains registered until it is deregistered. This involves deallocating whatever resources were allocated to the channel by the selector.

A channel cannot be deregistered directly; instead, the key representing its registration must be cancelled. Cancelling a key requests that the channel be deregistered during the selector's next selection operation. A key may be cancelled explicitly by invoking its cancel method. All of a channel's keys are cancelled implicitly when the channel is closed, whether by invoking its close method or by interrupting a thread blocked in an I/O operation upon the channel.

If the selector itself is closed then the channel will be deregistered, and the key representing its registration will be invalidated, without further delay.

A channel may be registered at most once with any particular selector.

Whether or not a channel is registered with one or more selectors may be determined by invoking the isRegistered method.

Selectable channels are safe for use by multiple concurrent threads.

Blocking mode

A selectable channel is either in blocking mode or in non-blocking mode. In blocking mode, every I/O operation invoked upon the channel will block until it completes. In non-blocking mode an I/O operation will never block and may transfer fewer bytes than were requested or possibly no bytes at all. The blocking mode of a selectable channel may be determined by invoking its isBlocking method.

Newly-created selectable channels are always in blocking mode. Non-blocking mode is most useful in conjunction with selector-based multiplexing. A channel must be placed into non-blocking mode before being registered with a selector, and may not be returned to blocking mode until it has been deregistered.

extends AbstractInterruptibleChannel implements Channel