Re: Questions on reading a writing of text files....

["Joseph Galbraith" <galb-list%vandyke.com@localhost>]

> > When operating in text mode, should a read just return one line (with
the
> > appropriate end of line sequence), or should it fill the buffer,
> separating
> > each line with the end of line sequence.  What if a line has more
> characters
> > than are available in the buffer, should the portion that fits be
returned
> > and the remainder saved for the next read?
> >
> > There are fewer questions about writes, but what should be done with a
> write
> > that does not end in the end of line sequence?  Should it wait for
another
> > write that contains the sequence and the two be appended?
>
> Good questions.  I was assuming the operating characteristics of read and
> write would not change, which means partial lines could be both read and
> written.  This is definitely the simplest way to go in terms of the amount
> of verbiage needed for the draft.  (For example, line is too big for
buffer
> question just goes away.)
>
> Is it too onerous to implement, do you think?
>
> - Joseph
>
> Partial reads are not difficult to implement.
>
> Partial writes could be difficult to implement, depending upon VMS file
> organization and whether or not the write is at the end of the file.
>
> I think that a line stating "All end of line sequences are explicit when
> operating on a file in text mode." would eliminate any confusion.

I'm not sure where this text would go?  Is this more along the lines
of 'partial eol sequences should be ignored'?  I currently have some
text in there about that (added after posting draft-draft in response
to someones feedback.

Thanks,

- Joseph