HELP wanted regarding READ() system call!

[Ashraf Mahmoud]

Hello Every Body,

  I wonder if I can get help regarding the unix system call "read()".
When a program executes this system call to read from an empty pipeline,  
shouldn't it return zero ( nothing is read ) and passes control to the next 
statement? I think it remains stuck waiting for something to be put it the 
pipeline. How can I overcome this behaviour? That is making it pass control 
to next statement even if pipeline is empty. I would appreciate responses.

Ashraf   
McMaster U.