Home Manual Packages Global Index Keywords Quick Reference Language Reference Function Reference I/O Reference Opening and Closing Text Files Reading Text Writing Text Positioning a Text File Opening and Closing Binary Files Saving and Restoring Variables Reading History Records Writing History Records Opening Non-PDB Files Making Plots Plot Paging and Hardcopy Setting Plot Limits Managing Graphics Windows Graphics Query, Edit, and Defaults | # Yorick Language Reference ## Opening and Closing Binary Files
`f = openb(filename)` | open filename read-only
`f = updateb(filename)` | open filename read-write
`f = createb(filename)` | create the binary file filename
`close, f` | close file f
A binary file f has a Yorick data type which is distinct from a text file. The `info` and `print` functions describe f. The `close` function will be called implicitly when the last reference to a file disappears, e.g.- if f is redefined. The data in a binary file is organized into named variables, each of which has a data type and dimensions. The `.` operator, which extracts members from a structure instance, accepts binary files for its left operand. Thus: `f = updateb("foo.bar"); print, f.var1, f.var2(2:8,::4); f.var3(2,5) = 3.14; close, f;` Opens a file, prints `var1` and a subarray of `var2`, sets one element of `var3`, then closes the file. The `show` command prints an alphabetical list of the variables contained in a file: `show, f` shows the variables in file f `show, f, pat` show only names starting with pat `get_vars(f)` returns pointers to complete name lists for f