SEEK (function)

The SEEK function returns the byte or record position in a file, which is read or written next.

Syntax

byte = SEEK(filenumber&)

Parameters

• filenumber& is the number of an OPEN file in any mode.
• In RANDOM files SEEK returns the record position to read or write.
• In BINARY or sequencial files SEEK returns the byte position to read or write (first byte = 1).
• Since the first file position is 1 it may require adding one to an offset value when documentation uses that position as 0.
• Devices that do not support SEEK (SCRN, CONS, KBRD, COMn and LPTn) return 0.

Notes

• Don't confuse the LOC position with the SEEK position !!
  • LOC is the last read or written byte or record prosition.
  • SEEK is the byte or record prosition to read or write next.

Examples

Example

Demonstrate the difference between LOC and SEEK positions in a file.

OPEN "readme.md" FOR BINARY AS #1 PRINT LOC(1) 'LOC returns 0, as we didn't read something yet PRINT SEEK(1) 'SEEK otherwise returns 1, as it's the first byte to read GET #1, , a& 'now let's read a LONG (4 bytes) PRINT LOC(1) 'now LOC returns 4, the last read byte PRINT SEEK(1) 'and SEEK returns 5 now, the next byte to read CLOSE #1 END

0 1 4 5

See also

• SEEK, LOC
• GET, PUT

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