SEEK

The SEEK statement sets the byte or record position in a file for the next read or write.

Syntax

SEEK filenumber&, position

Parameters

• filenumber& must be the file number that is OPEN and being read or written to.
• position is a byte in BINARY or sequencial files created in OUTPUT, APPEND or INPUT modes. The first byte = 1.
• position is the record in RANDOM files to read or write. Records can hold more than one variable defined in a TYPE.
• Since the first SEEK file position is 1 it may require adding one to an offset value when documentation uses that position as 0.
• After a SEEK statement, the next file operation starts at that SEEK byte position.
• The SEEK statement can work with the SEEK (function) to move around in a file.

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 1

A SEEK statement using the SEEK (function) to move to the next random record in a file.

SEEK 1, SEEK(1) + 1

---

Example 2

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 (function), LOC
• GET, PUT

---

Navigation: Main Page with Articles and Tutorials Keyword Reference - Alphabetical Keyword Reference - By usage Report a broken link