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