Using Named Pipes as Files

Simple question here (though perhaps not such a simple answer):

Is it possible to specify a path for an (existing) named pipe that can be used by programs as if they were opening on a normal file?

According to this MSDN page, name pipes on the local c开发者_如何学Goomputer can be referrenced using the following path syntax: \\.\pipe\PipeName, yet I'm having no luck using this from standard Windows programs.

As a side point, if anyone has any suggestions for interfacing with programs that are only capable of using the file-system in a more efficient manner than physical I/O (e.g. named pipes), I would be glad to take them.

It would only work if the programs are using the Win32 API CreateFile() function to open the files.