what is ioflush (syncer)?

["Jeremy C. Reed" <reed_(_at_)_reedmedia_(_dot_)_net>]

I am trying to research about special system processes to write a
non-technical, generic BSD article.

I have a few questions about ioflush (the System filesystem synchronizer
daemon).

If I understand correctly, ioflush helps flush internal disk write caches
(maybe every thirty seconds?).

What are "dirty" buffers?

What is the syncer work queue? What is the syncer work-list?

Why is it named "ioflush"?

What does it have to do with file system unmount?

How is it related to softdeps?

On a related note, are there any special system processes other than the
swapper, pagedaemon, reaper and ioflush?

Where is this well documented?

Thanks,

   Jeremy C. Reed
   http://www.reedmedia.net/