[I missed the beginning of the file ID discussion - if some kind soul
could tell me the problem that is trying to be solved?]
Posix Std 1003.1-1988, section 5.3.2.1, paragraph 2 says
"The open() function shall return a file descriptor for the named
file which is the lowest file descriptor not currently open for
that process."
--lm
P.S. It occurs to me that people like Mingo ought to have a POSIX manual
but may not because of the $114 price tag. Maybe some of us fringe elements
ought to put a pool together to make sure the top kernel developers get a
copy. Any other fringe types with a spare $114?