The function epoll_create is part of the Linux operating system's epoll interface, which is used for monitoring multiple file descriptors to see if they are ready for I/O operations. When you call epoll_create, it creates an epoll instance and returns a file descriptor that can be used with other epoll functions. This allows efficient management of large numbers of connections, making it suitable for high-performance network applications. The epoll mechanism is designed to handle events in a scalable way, reducing the overhead associated with traditional methods like select or poll. By using epoll_create, developers can set up a system that efficiently tracks the state of multiple file descriptors, enabling responsive and resource-efficient applications.