### 8.16 DEC-10 compatibility input/output

- Introduction
- `see/1`, `tell/1`, `append/1`
- `seeing/1`, `telling/1`
- `seen/0`, `told/0`
- `get0/1`, `get/1`, `skip/1`
- `put/1`, `tab/1`

#### 8.16.1 Introduction

The DEC-10 Prolog I/O predicates manipulate streams implicitly since they only refer to current input/output streams (section 8.10.1). The current input and output streams are initially set to `user_input` and `user_output` respectively. The predicate `see/1` (resp. `tell/1`, `append/1`) can be used for setting the current input (resp. output) stream to newly opened streams for particular files. The predicate `seen/0` (resp. `told/0`) close the current input (resp. output) stream, and resets it to the standard input (resp. output). The predicate `seeing/1` (resp. `telling/1`) is used for retrieving the file name associated with the current input (resp. output) stream. The file name `user` stands for the standard input or output, depending on context (`user_input` and `user_output` can also be used). The DEC-10 Prolog I/O predicates are only provided for compatibility, they are now obsolete and their use is discouraged. The predicates for explicit stream manipulation should be used instead (section 8.10).

#### 8.16.2 `see/1`, `tell/1`, `append/1`

Templates

  `see(+source_sink)
  see(+stream)
  tell(+source_sink)
  tell(+stream)
  append(+source_sink)
  append(+stream)`

Description

`see(FileName)` sets the current input stream to `FileName`. If there is a stream opened by `see/1` associated with the same `FileName` already, then it becomes the current input stream. Otherwise, `FileName` is opened for reading and becomes the current input stream.

`tell(FileName)` sets the current output stream to `FileName`. If there is a stream opened by `tell/1` associated with the same `FileName` already, then it becomes the current output stream. Otherwise, `FileName` is opened for writing and becomes the current output stream.

`append(FileName)` like `tell/1` but `FileName` is opened for writing + append.

A stream-term (obtained with any other built-in predicate) can also be provided as `FileName` to these predicates.

Errors

See errors associated with `open/4` (section 8.10.6).

Portability

GNU Prolog predicates.

#### 8.16.3 `seeing/1`, `telling/1`

Templates

  `seeing(?source_sink)
  telling(?source_sink)`

Description

`seeing(FileName)` succeeds if `FileName` unifies with the name of the current input file, if it was opened by `see/1`; else with the current input stream-term, if this is not `user_input`, otherwise with `user`.

`telling(FileName)` succeeds if `FileName` unifies with the name of the current output file, if it was opened by `tell/1` or `append/1`; else with the current output stream-term, if this is not `user_output`, otherwise with `user`.

Errors

None.

Portability

GNU Prolog predicates.

#### 8.16.4 `seen/0`, `told/0`

Templates

  `seen
  told`

Description

`seen` closes the current input, and resets it to `user_input`.

`told` closes the current output, and resets it to `user_output`.

Errors

None.

Portability

GNU Prolog predicates.

#### 8.16.5 `get0/1`, `get/1`, `skip/1`

Templates

  `get0(?in_character_code)
  get(?in_character_code)
  skip(+character_code)`

Description

`get0(Code)` succeeds if `Code` unifies with the next character code read from the current input stream. Thus it is equivalent to `get_code(Code)` (section 8.12.1).

`get(Code)` succeeds if `Code` unifies with the next character code read from the current input stream that is not a layout character.

`skip(Code)` skips just past the next character code `Code` from the current input stream.

Errors

See errors for `get_code/2` (section 8.12.1).

Portability

GNU Prolog predicates.

#### 8.16.6 `put/1`, `tab/1`

Templates

  `put(+character_code)
  tab(+evaluable)`

Description

`put(Code)` writes the character whose code is `Code` onto the current output stream. It is equivalent to `put_code(Code)` (section 8.12.5).

`tab(N)` writes `N` spaces onto the current output stream. `N` may be an arithmetic expression.

Errors

See errors for `put_code/2` (section 8.12.5) and for arithmetic expressions (section 8.6.1).

Portability

GNU Prolog predicates.

Copyright (C) 1999-2011 Daniel Diaz Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved. More about the copyright