@c =================================================================== @c
@c    serrano/prgm/project/bigloo/manuals/io.texi                      @c
@c    ------------------------------------------------------------     @c
@c    Author      :  Manuel Serrano                                    @c
@c    Creation    :  Mon Feb 25 11:07:08 2002                          @c
@c    Last change :                                                    @c
@c    Copyright   :  2002 Manuel Serrano                               @c
@c    ------------------------------------------------------------     @c
@c    Input and output                                                 @c
@c =================================================================== @c

@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@c    Input and Output                                                 @c
@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@node Input and Output, Serialization, Scheme Library, Standard Library
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@section Input and output
@cindex input and output

This section describes Scheme operation for reading and writing data.
The section @ref{Files} describes functions for handling files.

@menu
* Library functions::
* Memory mapped area::
* Zip::
* Tar::
@end menu

@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@c    Library functions                                                @c
@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@node Library functions, Memory mapped area, , Input and Output
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@subsection Library functions

@deffn {library procedure} call-with-input-file string proc
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} call-with-input-string string proc
@deffnx {library procedure} call-with-output-file string proc
@deffnx {library procedure} call-with-append-file string proc
@deffnx {library procedure} call-with-output-string proc
These two procedures call @var{proc} with one argument, a port obtained
by opening @var{string}.
See @ref{Ports,,r5rs.info,R5RS}, for more details.

@smalllisp
(call-with-input-file "/etc/passwd"
   (lambda (port)
      (let loop ((line (read-line port)))
         (if (not (eof-object? line))
             (begin
                (print line)
                (loop (read-line port)))))))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} input-port? obj 
@deffnx {procedure} input-string-port? obj 
@deffnx {procedure} output-port? obj
@deffnx {procedure} output-string-port? obj
@deffnx {procedure} port? obj
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-name obj
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} input-port-name-set! obj name
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-name obj
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-name-set! obj name
Returns/sets the file name for which @var{obj} has been opened.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo (>=3.8d) procedure} input-port-length obj
Returns the source number of bytes, i.e., the number characters contains
in the source. Returns @code{-1} if that number is unknown (typically
for a pipe).
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo (>=2.8b) procedure} input-port-timeout-set! port time
@deffnx {bigloo (>=2.8b) procedure} output-port-timeout-set! port time
These two functions limit the time an read or write operation may last.
If the @var{time} limit (expressed in microseconds) exceeded, an exception
of time @code{&io-timeout-error} is raised.

Setting a timeout equal to 0, restore the socket in blocking mode. Setting
a timeout with a value lesser than 0 is ignored.

Note: ports created from sockets share their internal file descriptor. Hence
it is erroneous to set a timeout for only one of the two ports. Both
must be set.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} output-port-flush-hook port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-flush-hook-set! port hook
Returns (resp. sets) the @emph{flush hook} of the output
@var{port}. The flush hook is a procedure of two arguments, the output
port and the number of characters that are to be actually written out
during the flush. It is unspecified when the hook is invoked, however,
one may expect the C back-end to invoke the hook only when output
buffers are full. The other back-ends (JVM and DOTNET) are likely to
invoke the hook as soon as a character is to be written.

A flush hook can return two types of values:

@itemize @bullet
@item A string, which is then directly displayed to the system stream
associated with the output port.

@item An integer, which denotes the number of characters of the output port
flush buffer (see @code{output-port-flush-buffer}) that have to be
displayed on the system stream.
@end itemize

@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} output-port-flush-buffer port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-flush-buffer-set! port buffer
These functions gets and sets a buffer that can be used by program by the
flush hooks. The runtime system makes no provision for automatically allocated
these buffers that hence must be manually allocated by programs. The motivation
for flush buffer is to allow programs to write flush hooks that don't have
to allocate a new string each time invoked.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} output-port-close-hook port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-close-hook-set! port proc
Returns (resp. sets) the @emph{close hook} of the output @var{port}. The
close hook is a procedure of one argument, the closed port. The hook 
is invoked @emph{after} the @var{port} is closed.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-close-hook port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} input-port-close-hook-set! port proc
Returns (resp. sets) the @emph{close hook} of the input @var{port}. The
close hook is a procedure of one argument, the closed port.

Example:
@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-string "/etc/passwd")))
  (input-port-close-hook-set! p (lambda () (display 'done)))
  ...
  (close-input-port p))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-reopen! obj
Re-open the input port @var{obj}. That is, re-start reading from the first
character of the input port.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} current-input-port
@deffnx {procedure} current-output-port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} current-error-port
@end deffn

@deffn {optional procedure} with-input-from-file string thunk
@deffnx {optional procedure} with-input-from-string string thunk
@deffnx {optional procedure} with-input-from-procedure procedure thunk
@deffnx {optional procedure} with-output-to-file string thunk
@deffnx {optional procedure} with-append-to-file string thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-error-to-file string thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-output-to-string thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-output-to-procedure procedure thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-error-to-string thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-error-to-procedure procedure thunk
A port is opened from file @var{string}. This port is made the
current input port (resp. the current output port or the current error port) 
and @var{thunk} is called. 
See @ref{Ports,,r5rs.info,R5RS}, for more details.

@smalllisp
(with-input-from-file "/etc/passwd"
   (lambda ()
      (let loop ((line (read-line (current-input-port))))
         (if (not (eof-object? line))
             (begin
                (print line)
                (loop (read-line (current-input-port))))))))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} with-input-from-port port thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-output-to-port port thunk
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} with-error-to-port port thunk

@code{with-input-from-port}, @code{with-output-to-port} and
@code{with-error-to-port} all suppose @var{port} to be a legal port. They 
call @var{thunk} making @var{port} the current input (resp. output or
error) port. None of these functions close @var{port} on the continuation 
of @var{thunk}.

@smalllisp
(with-output-to-port (current-error-port) 
   (lambda () (display "hello")))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} open-input-file file-name [buffer #f] [timeout 5000000]

If @var{file-name} is a regular file name, @code{open-input-file} behaves as
the function defined in the Scheme report. If @var{file-name} starts with
special prefixes it behaves differently. Here are the recognized prefixes:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{| } (a string made of the characters @code{#\|} and @code{#\space})
Instead of opening a regular file, Bigloo opens an input pipe. 
The same syntax is used for output file. 

@smalllisp
(define pin (open-input-file "| cat /etc/passwd"))
(define pout (open-output-file "| wc -l"))

(display (read pin) pout)
(close-input-port pin)
(newline pout)
(close-output-port pout)
@end smalllisp

@item @code{pipe:}
Same as @code{| }.

@item @code{file:}
Opens a regular file.

@item @code{fd:}
Opens a file descriptor.

@smalllisp
(with-input-from-file "fd:0"
   (lambda ()
      (read)))
@end smalllisp


@item @code{gzip:}
Opens a port on a gzipped filed. This is equivalent to 
@code{open-input-gzip-file}. 
Example:

@smalllisp
(with-input-from-file "gzip:bigloo.tar.gz"
   (lambda ()
      (send-chars (current-input-port) (current-output-port))))
@end smalllisp

@item @code{string:}
Opens a port on a string. This is equivalent to @code{open-input-string}. 
Example:

@smalllisp
(with-input-from-file "string:foo bar Gee"
   (lambda ()
      (print (read))
      (print (read))
      (print (read))))
   @print{} foo
   @print{} bar
   @print{} Gee
@end smalllisp

@item @code{http://server/path}

Opens an @emph{http} connection on @code{server} and open an input file
on file @code{path}.

@item @code{http://server:port-number/path}
@item @code{http://user:password@@server:port-number/path}

Opens an @emph{http} connection on @code{server}, on port number
@code{port} with an authentication and open an input file on file @code{path}.

@item @code{ftp://server/path}
@item @code{ftp://user:password@@server/path}

Opens an @emph{ftp} connection on @code{server} and open an input file
on file @code{path}. Log in as anonymous.

@item @code{ressource:}

Opens a JVM @emph{ressource} file. Opening a @code{ressource:} file in 
non JVM backend always return @code{#f}. On the JVM backend it returns
a input port if the ressource exists. Otherwise, it returns @code{#f}.

@end itemize

The optional argument @var{buffer} can either be:

@itemize @bullet
@item A positive fixnum, this gives the size of the buffer.
@item The boolean @code{#t}, a buffer is allocated.
@item The boolean @code{#f}, the socket is unbufferized.
@item A string, it is used as buffer.
@end itemize

The optional argument @var{timeout}, an integer represents a microseconds 
timeout for the open operation.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-gzip-file file-name [buffer #t]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} open-input-gzip-port input-port [buffer #t]
@cindex zip
@cindex gzip

Open respectively a gzipped file for input and a port on a gzipped stream.
Note that closing a gzip port opened from a port @var{pi} does not close
the @var{pi} port.

@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-gzip-file "bigloo.tar.gz")))
   (unwind-protect
      (read-line p1)
      (close-input-port p)))
@end smalllisp

This can be decomposed as:

@smalllisp
(let* ((p1 (open-input-file "bigloo.tar.gz"))
       (p2 (open-input-gzip-port p1)))
   (unwind-protect
      (read-line p2)
      (close-input-port p2)
      (close-input-port p1)))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-zlib-file file-name [buffer #t]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} open-input-zlib-port input-port [buffer #t]
@cindex zip
@cindex gzip

Open respectively a zlib file for input and a port on a zlib stream.
Note that closing a zlib port opened from a port @var{pi} does not close
the @var{pi} port.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-descriptor fd [buffer #t]
Open a file descriptor (as C @code{fdopen}).
@end deffn


@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-string string [start 0] [end]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} open-input-string! string [start 0] [end]
@cindex SRFI-6

@var{string} must be a string, and @var{start} and @var{end} must be
exact integers satisfying:

@smallexample
  0 <= START <= END <= (string-length STRING)
@end smallexample

The optional argument @var{end} defaults to @code{(string-length STRING)}.

Returns an @code{input-port} able to deliver characters from
@var{string}.

The function @code{open-input-string!} acts as @code{open-input-string}
but it might modify the string it receives as parameter.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-c-string string
Returns an @code{input-port} able to deliver characters from
C @var{string}. The buffer used by the input port is the exact
same string as the argument. That is, no buffer is allocated.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-ftp-file file-name [buffer #t]
Returns an @code{input-port} able to deliver characters from a
remote file located on a FTP server.

Example:

@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-ftp-file "ftp-sop.inria.fr/ls-lR.gz'')))
  (unwind-protect
     (read-string p)
     (close-input-port p)))
@end smalllisp
  
The file name may contain user authentication such as:

@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-ftp-file "anonymous:foo@@ftp-sop.inria.fr/ls-lR.gz'')))
  (unwind-protect
     (read-string p)
     (close-input-port p)))
@end smalllisp

@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-mmap mmap [start 0] [end]
@var{mmap} must be a mmap, and @var{start} and @var{end} must be
exact integers satisfying:

@smallexample
  0 <= START <= END <= (mmap-length STRING)
@end smallexample

The optional argument @var{end} defaults to @code{(mmap-length STRING)}.

Returns an @code{input-port} able to deliver characters from
@var{mmap}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-procedure procedure [buffer #t]
Returns an @code{input-port} able to deliver characters from
@var{procedure}. Each time a character has to be read, the @var{procedure}
is called. This procedure may returns a string of characters, or
the boolean @code{#f}. This last value stands for the end of file. 

Example:

@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-procedure (let ((s #t))
				  (lambda ()
				     (if s
					 (begin 
                                            (set! s #f)
                                            "foobar")
					 s))))))
   (read))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} unread-char! char [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} unread-string! string [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} unread-substring! string start end [input-port]
Pushes the given @var{char}, @var{string} or substring into the input-port.
The next read character(s) will be the pushed ones. The @var{input-port} must
be buffered and not be closed.

Example:

@smalllisp
(define p (open-input-string "a ymbol c"))
(read p)                       @result{} a
(read-char p)                  @result{} #\space
(unread-char! #\s p)
(read p)                       @result{} symbol
(read-char p)                  @result{} #\space
(read p)                       @result{} c
(char-ready? p)                @result{} #f
(unread-string! "sym1 sym2" p)
(char-ready? p)                @result{} #t
(read p)                       @result{} sym1
(read p)                       @result{} sym2
@end smalllisp
@end deffn


@deffn {procedure} open-output-file file-name
The same syntax as @code{open-input-file} for file names applies here.
When a file name starts with @samp{| }, Bigloo opens an output pipe
instead of a regular file.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} append-output-file file-name
If @code{file-name} exists, this function returns an @code{output-port}
on it, without removing it. New output will be appended to @var{file-name}.
If @code{file-name} does not exist, it is created.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-output-string
This function returns an @emph{output string port}. This object has almost
the same purpose as @code{output-port}. It can be used with all
the printer functions which accept @code{output-port}. An output
on a @emph{output string port} memorizes all the characters written. An
invocation of @code{flush-output-port} or @code{close-output-port} on an 
@emph{output string port} returns a new string which contains all the 
characters accumulated in the port.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} get-output-string output-port
@cindex SRFI-6
Given an output port created by @code{open-output-string}, 
returns a string consisting of the characters that have been 
output to the port so far. 
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-output-procedure proc [flush [close]]
This function returns an @emph{output procedure port}. This object has almost
the same purpose as @code{output-port}. It can be used with all
the printer functions which accept @code{output-port}. An output
on a @emph{output procedure port} invokes the @var{proc} procedure
each time it is used for writing. That is, @var{proc} is invoked with a
string denoting the displayed characters. When the function
@code{flush-output-port} is called on such a port, the optional
@var{flush} procedure is invoked. When the function @code{close-output-port}
is called on such a port, the optional @var{close} procedure is invoked.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} close-input-port input-port
@deffnx {procedure} close-output-port output-port
According to R5RS, the value returned is unspecified. However, if
@emph{output-port} was created using @code{open-output-string}, the value
returned is the string consisting of all characters sent to the port.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} closed-input-port? input-port
@deffnx {procedure} closed-output-port? output-port
Predicates that return @code{#t} if and if their associated port is closed.
Return @code{#f} otherwise.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-name input-port
Returns the name of the file used to open the @var{input-port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-position port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} output-port-position port
Returns the current position (a character number), in the @var{port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} set-input-port-position! port pos
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} set-output-port-position! port pos
These functions set the file position indicator for @var{port}. The new 
position, measured in bytes, is specified by @var{pos}. It is an error 
to seek a port that cannot be changed (for instance, a procedure or a 
console port). The result of these functions is unspecified. An error
is raised if the position cannot be changed.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} input-port-reopen! input-port
This function re-opens the input @code{input-port}. That is, it reset the
position in the @var{input-port} to the first character.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} read [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read/case case [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read-case-sensitive [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read-case-insensitive [input-port]
Read a lisp expression. The case sensitivity of @code{read} is unspecified. 
If have to to enforce a special behavior regarding the case, use 
@code{read/case}, @code{read-case-sensitive} or @code{read-case-insensitive}. 
Let us consider the following source code: The value of the @code{read/case}'s
@var{case} argument may either be @code{upcase}, @code{downcase} or 
@code{sensitive}. Using any other value is an error.

@smalllisp
(define (main argv)
   (let loop ((exp (read-case-sensitive)))
      (if (not (eof-object? exp))
          (begin
             (display "exp: ")
             (write exp)
             (display " [")
             (display exp)
             (display "]")
             (print " eq?: " (eq? exp 'FOO) " " (eq? exp 'foo))
             (loop (read-case-sensitive))))))
@end smalllisp

Thus:
@display
> a.out
foo
  @print{} exp: foo [foo] eq?: #f #t
FOO
  @print{} exp: FOO [FOO] eq?: #t #f
@end display
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read/rp grammar port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read/lalrp lalrg rg port [emptyp]
These functions are fully explained in @ref{Regular Parsing},
and @ref{Lalr Parsing}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} define-reader-ctor symbol procedure
@cindex SRFI-10

Note: This feature is experimental and might be removed in feature versions.

The present SRFI-10
(@url{http://srfi.schemers.org/srfi-10/srfi-10.html}) proposes an
extensible external representation of Scheme values, a notational
convention for future SRFIs. This SRFI adds @code{#,(} as a new token and
extends production rules of the grammar for a Scheme reader. The @code{#,()}
form can be used for example to denote values that do not have a
convenient printed representation, as well for conditional code
compilation. It is proposed that future SRFIs that contain new read
syntax for values use the @code{#,()} notation with an appropriate tag
symbol.

As a particular example and the reference implementation for the @code{#,()}
convention, this SRFI describes an interpretation of the @code{#,()} external
form as a read-time application.

Examples:
@smalllisp
(define-reader-ctor 'list list) 
(with-input-from-string "#,(list 1 2 #f \"4 5\")" read) @result{} (1 2 #f "4 5")

(define-reader-ctor '+ +)
(with-input-from-string "#,(+ 1 2)" read) @result{} 3
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} set-read-syntax! char procedure

Note: This feature is experimental and might be removed in feature versions.

Registers a function @var{procedure} to be invoked with one argument, an
input-port, that is invoked when the reader hits an unparsed character.

Example:

@smalllisp
(set-read-syntax! #\@{
   (lambda (port)
      (let loop ((c (peek-char port)) (exps '()))
	 (cond ((eof-object? c)
		(error "@{" "EOF encountered while parsing @{ ... @} clause" port))
	       ((char=? c #\@})
		(read-char port)   ; discard
		`(begin ,@@(reverse exps)))
	       ((char-whitespace? c)
		(read-char port)   ; discard whitespace
		(loop (peek-char port) exps))
	       (else
		(let ((exp (read port)))
		   (loop (peek-char port)
                      (cons exp exps))))))))
@end smalllisp

@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} read-char [port]
@deffnx {procedure} read-byte [port]
@deffnx {procedure} peek-char [port]
@deffnx {procedure} peek-byte [port]
@deffnx {procedure} eof-object? obj
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} char-ready? [port]
@cindex run-process and char-ready?
@cindex char-ready? and run-process
@cindex run-process and input/output
As specified in the R5Rs, @ref{Ports,,r5rs.info,R5RS}, @code{char-ready?}
returns @t{#t} if a character is ready on the input @var{port} and
returns @t{#f} otherwise.  If @samp{char-ready} returns @t{#t} then
the next @samp{read-char} operation on the given @var{port} is guaranteed
not to hang.  If the @var{port} is at end of file then @samp{char-ready?}
returns @t{#t}.  @var{Port} may be omitted, in which case it defaults to
the value returned by @samp{current-input-port}.

When using @code{char-ready?} consider the latency that may exists
before characters are available. For instance, executing the
following source code:

@smalllisp
(let* ((proc (run-process "/bin/ls" "-l" "/bin" output: pipe:))
       (port (process-output-port proc)))
   (let loop ((line (read-line port)))
      (print "char ready " (char-ready? port))
      (if (eof-object? line)
          (close-input-port port)
          (begin
             (print line)
             (loop (read-line port))))))
@end smalllisp

@noindent Produces outputs such as:

@display
char ready #f
total 7168
char ready #f
-rwxr-xr-x    1 root     root         2896 Sep  6  2001 arch
char ready #f
-rwxr-xr-x    1 root     root        66428 Aug 25  2001 ash
char ready #t
...
@end display

For a discussion of Bigloo processes, see @ref{Process}.

@emph{Note:} Thanks to Todd Dukes for the example and the suggestion
of including it this documentation.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-line [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read-line-newline [input-port]
Reads characters from @var{input-port} until a @code{#\Newline}, 
a @code{#\Return} or an @code{end of file} condition is encountered. 
@code{read-line} returns a newly allocated string composed of the characters 
read.

The strings returned by @code{read-line} do not contain the newline delimiters.
The strings returned by @code{read-line-newline} do contain them.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-lines [input-port]
Accumulates all the line of an @var{input-port} into a list.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-of-strings [input-port]
Reads a sequence of non-space characters on @var{input-port}, makes a
string of them and returns the string.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-string [input-port]
Reads all the characters of @var{input-port} into a string.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-chars size [input-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} read-chars! buf size [input-port]

The function @code{read-chars} returns a newly allocated strings made
of @var{size} characters read from @var{input-port} (or from
@code{(current-input-port)} if @var{input-port} is not provided). If
less than @var{size} characters are available on the input port, the
returned string is smaller than @var{size}. Its size is the number of
available characters.

The function @code{read-chars!} fills the buffer @var{buf} with at most
@var{size} characters.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} read-fill-string! s o len [input-port]
Fills the string @var{s} starting at offset @var{o} with at
most @var{len} characters read from the input port @var{input-port}
(or from @code{(current-input-port)} if @var{input-port} is not provided).
This function returns the number of read characters (which may be smaller
than @var{len} if less characters are available) or the end of file object.
The argument @code{len} is a small integer.

The function @code{read-fill-string!} is similar to @code{read-chars!}
except that it returns the @emph{end-of-file} object on termination while
@code{read-chars!} returns 0.

Example:
@smalllisp
(let ((s (make-string 10 #\-)))
   (with-input-from-string "abcdefghijlkmnops"
      (lambda ()
         (read-fill-string! s 3 5)
         s)))
   @result{} ---abcde--
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} port->string-list input-port
Returns a list of strings composed of the elements of @var{input-port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} port->list input-port reader
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} port->sexp-list input-port
@code{Port->list} applies reader to port repeatedly until it returns EOF, 
then returns a list of results. 
@code{Port->list-sexp} is equivalent to @code{(port->list read port)}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} file->string path
This function builds a new string out of all the characters of the file 
@var{path}. If the file cannot be open or read, an @code{IO_EXCEPTION}
is raised.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} send-chars input-port output-port [len] [offset]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} send-file filename output-port [len] [offset]
Transfer the characters from @var{input-port} to @var{output-port}. This
procedure is sometimes mapped to a system call (such as @code{sendfile} under
Linux) and might thus be more efficient than copying the ports by hand. The
optional argument @var{offset} specifies an offset from which characters of
@var{input-port} are sent. The function @code{send-chars} returns the number
of characters sent.

The function @code{send-file} opens the file @var{filename} in order to
get its input port. On some backends, @code{send-file} might be more efficient
than @code{send-chars} because it may avoid creating a full-fledged Bigloo
@code{input-port}.

Note that the type of @var{len} and @var{offset} is
@code{elong} (i.e., exact long), which is also returned by @code{file-size}.
@end deffn

@deffn {library procedure} write obj [output-port]
@deffnx {library procedure} display obj [output-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} print obj @dots{}
This procedure allows several objects to be displayed. When
all these objects have been printed, @code{print} adds a newline.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} display* obj @dots{}
This function is similar to @code{print} but does not add a newline.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} fprint output-port obj @dots{}
This function is the same as @code{print} except that a
port is provided.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} write-char char [output-port]
@deffnx {procedure} write-byte byte [output-port]
These procedures write a char (respec. a byte, i.e., in integer in the range
0..255) to the @var{output-port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} newline [output-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} flush-output-port output-port
This procedure flushes the output port @var{output-port}. This function
@emph{does not} reset characters accumulated in string port. For this
uses, @code{reset-output-port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {procedure} newline [output-port]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} reset-output-port output-port
This function is equivalent to @code{flush-output-port} but in addition,
for string ports, it reset the internal buffer that accumulates the
displayed characters.
@end deffn


@deffn {bigloo procedure} format format-string [objs]
@cindex SRFI-28

@emph{Note}: Many thanks to Scott G. Miller who is the author of
SRFI-28. Most of the documentation of this function is copied from the
SRFI documentation.

Accepts a message template (a Scheme String), and processes it,
replacing any escape sequences in order with one or more characters,
the characters themselves dependent on the semantics of the escape
sequence encountered.

An escape sequence is a two character sequence in the string where the
first character is a tilde @code{~}. Each escape code's meaning is as
follows:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{~a} The corresponding value is inserted into the string 
as if printed with display.
@item @code{~s} The corresponding value is inserted into the string 
as if printed with write.
@item @code{~%} or @code{~n} A newline is inserted A newline is inserted.
@item @code{~~} A tilde @code{~} is inserted.
@item @code{~r} A return (@code{#\Return}) is inserted.
@item @code{~v} The corresponding value is inserted into the string 
as if printed with display followed by a newline. This tag is hence
equivalent to the sequence @code{~a~n}.
@item @code{~c} The corresponding value must be a character and is
inserted into the string as if printed with write-char.
@item @code{~d}, @code{~x}, @code{~o}, @code{~b}  The corresponding value must
must be a number and is printed with radix 16, 8 or 2.
@item @code{~l} If the corresponding value is a proper list, its items 
are inserted into the string, separated by whitespaces, without the 
surrounding parenthesis. If the corresponding value is not a list, it 
behaves as @code{~s}.
@item @code{~(<sep>)} If the corresponding value is a proper list, its items 
are inserted into the string, separated from each other by @var{sep}, 
without the surrounding parenthesis. If the corresponding value is not a list, 
it behaves as @code{~s}.
@item @code{~Ndxob} Print a number in @var{N} columns with space padding.
@item @code{~N,<padding>dxob} Print a number in @var{num} columns 
with @var{padding} padding.
@end itemize

@code{~a} and @code{~s}, when encountered, require a corresponding
Scheme value to be present after the format string. The values
provided as operands are used by the escape sequences in order. It is
an error if fewer values are provided than escape sequences that
require them.

@code{~%} and @code{~~} require no corresponding value.

@smalllisp
(format "Hello, ~a" "World!") 
   @print{} Hello, World!
(format "Error, list is too short: ~s~%" '(one "two" 3)) 
   @print{} Error, list is too short: (one "two" 3)
(format "a ~l: ~l" "list" '(1 2 3))
   @print{} a list: 1 2 3
(format "a ~l: ~(, )" "list" '(1 2 3))
   @print{} a list: 1, 2, 3
(format "~3d" 4)
   @print{}   4
(format "~3,-d" 4)
   @print{} --4
(format "~3x" 16)
   @print{}  10
(format "~3,0d" 5)
   @print{} 005
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} printf format-string [objs]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} fprintf port format-string [objs]
Formats @var{objs} to the current output port or to the specified @var{port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} pp obj [output-port]
Pretty print @var{obj} on @var{output-port}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo variable} *pp-case*
Sets the variable to @code{respect}, @code{lower} or @code{upper}
to change the case for pretty-printing.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo variable} *pp-width*
The width of the pretty-print.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} write-circle obj [output-port]
@cindex circular representation
Display recursive object @var{obj} on @var{output-port}. Each component
of the object is displayed using the @code{write} library function.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} display-circle obj [output-port]
Display recursive object @var{obj} on @var{output-port}. Each component
of the object is displayed using the @code{display} library function.

For instance:
@smalllisp
(define l (list 1 2 3))
(set-car! (cdr l) l)
(set-car! (cddr l) l)
(display-circle l)  @print{} #0=(1 #0# #0#)
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} display-string string output-port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} display-substring string start end output-port

@var{String} must be a string, and @var{start} and @var{end} must be exact 
integers satisfying
  @code{0 <= start <= end <= (string-length string)}.

@code{Display-substring} displays a string formed from the characters
of string beginning with index @var{start} (inclusive) and ending with index
@var{end} (exclusive).
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} password [prompt]
Reads a password from the current input port. The reading stops when the user
hits the ,(code "Enter") key.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-pipes [name]
Opens a bi-directional pipes. Returns two values, an @code{input-port} and
an @code{output-port}. The optional argument @var{name} is only used for
debugging.

Example:
@smalllisp
(multiple-value-bind (in out)
  (open-pipes "my pipe")
  (write-char #\z out)
  (flush-output-port out))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} select [:timeout 0] [:read '()] [:write '()] [:except '()]
A wrapper of the Posix @code{select} function. Returns three values,
the three lists of objects that are ready for reading, respectively writing,
or that are in error.

Example:
@smalllisp
(define *inpipe* #f)
(define *outpipe* #f)
(define *watch-mutex* (make-mutex "watch"))
(define *sockets* '())

(define (watch socket onclose)
   (synchronize *watch-mutex*
      (set! *sockets* (cons socket *sockets*))
      (if *outpipe*
	  (begin
	     (write-char *outpipe*)
	     (flush-output-port *outpipe*))
	  (thread-start!
	     (instantiate::hopthread
		(body (watch-thread onclose)))))))

(define (watch-thread onclose)
   (let loop ()
      (synchronize *watch-mutex*
	 (unless *inpipe*
	    (multiple-value-bind (in out)
	       (open-pipes)
	       (set! *inpipe* in)
	       (set! *outpipe* out))))
      (multiple-value-bind (readfs _ _)
	 (select :read (cons *inpipe* *sockets*))
	 (let ((socks (filter socket? readfs)))
	    (for-each onclose socks)
	    (synchronize *watch-mutex*
	       (for-each (lambda (s)
			    (set! *sockets* (remq! s *sockets*)))
		  socks)
	       (unless (pair? *sockets*)
		  (close-input-port *inpipe*)
		  (close-output-port *outpipe*)
		  (set! *inpipe* #f)
		  (set! *outpipe* #f)))
	    (when *outpipe*
	       (loop))))))
@end smalllisp
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} lockf output-port command [len 0]
Lock a file descriptor or an output port. It is an error to call
@code{lockf} with an port not open on a plain file (i.e., a port open
with @code{open-output-file}, or its variants).

The @var{command} argument is one of:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{lock}: locks the file, raises an error on failure.
@item @code{ulock}: unlocks the file, raises an error on failure.
@item @code{test}: tests whether a file is locked or not.
@item @code{tlock}: tries to lock a file, return @code{#t} upon success and
  @code{#f} otherwise.
@end itemize

The argument @var{len} is the portion of the file to be locked.
@end deffn

@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@c    MMAP                                                             @c
@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@node Memory mapped area, Zip, Library functions, Input and Output
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@subsection mmap
@cindex mmap

The @code{mmap} function asks to map a file into memory. This memory area
can be randomly accessed as a string. In general using @code{mmap} improves
performance in comparison with equivalent code using regular ports.

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap? obj 
Returns @code{#t} if and only if @var{obj} has been produced by
@code{open-mmap}. Otherwise, it returns @code{#f}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-mmap path [mode]
Maps a file @var{path} into memory. The optional argument @var{mode} specifies
how the file is open. The argument can be:

@itemize @bullet
@item @code{read: #t} The memory can be read
@item @code{read: #f} The memory cannot be read
@item @code{write: #t} The memory can be written
@item @code{write: #f} The memory is read-only.
@end itemize
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} string->mmap string [mode]
Wrap a Bigloo string into a mmap object.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-name mm
Returns the file name of the memory map @var{mm}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} close-mmap mm
Closes the memory mapped. Returns @code{#t} on success, @code{#f} otherwise.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-length mm
Returns the length, an exact integer, of the memory mapped.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-read-position mm
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-read-position-set! mm offset
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-write-position mm
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-write-position-set! mm offset
Returns and sets the read and write position of a memory mapped memory.
The result and the argument are exact integers.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-ref mm offset
Reads the character in @var{mm} at @var{offset}, an exact long (::elong). This 
function sets the read position to @code{offset + 1}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-set! mm offset char
Writes the character @var{char} in @var{mm} at @var{offset}, an exact
long (::elong). This function sets the write position to @code{offset + 1}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-substring mm start end
Returns a newly allocated string made of the characters read from @var{mm}
starting at position @var{start} and ending at position @var{end - 1}.
If the values @code{start} and @code{end} are not ranged in
@code{[0...(mmap-length mm)]}, an error is signaled. The function 
@code{mmap-substring} sets the read position to 
@code{end}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-substring-set! mm start str
Writes the string @var{str} to @var{mm} at position @var{start}.
If the values @code{start} and @code{start + (string-length str)} are 
not ranged in @code{[0...(mmap-length mm)[}, an error is signaled. The function
@code{mmap-substring} sets the write position to @code{start + (string-length str)}.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} mmap-get-char mm
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-put-char! mm c
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-get-string mm len
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} mmap-put-string! mm str
These functions get (resp. put) character and strings into a memory mapped
area. They increment the read (resp. write) position. An error is signaled
if the characters read (resp. writen) outbound the length of the memory mapped.
@end deffn

@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@c    Zip                                                              @c
@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@node Zip, Tar, Memory mapped area, Input and Output
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@subsection zip
@cindex gzip
@cindex zip
@cindex zlib
@cindex gunzip

@deffn {bigloo procedure} port->gzip-port input-port [buffer #t]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} port->zlib-port input-port [buffer #t]
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} port->inflate-port input-port [buffer #t]
These functions take a regular port as input (@var{input-port}). They construct
a new port that automatically @emph{unzip} the read characters.
The @code{inflate} version does not parse a gunzip-header before inflating the
content.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} open-input-inflate-file path [buffer #t]
These function open a gzipped file for input. The file is automatically
unzipped when the characters are read. It is equivalent to:

@smalllisp
(let ((p (open-input-port path)))
  (port->gzip-port p))
@end smalllisp

The function @code{open-input-inflate-file} is similar to
@code{open-input-gzip-file} but it does not parse a gunzip-header
before inflating the content.

@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} gunzip-sendchars input-port output-port
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} inflate-sendchars input-port output-port
Transmit all the characters from the gzipped @var{input-port} to the
@var{output-port}. 

Note that the function @code{send-chars} can also be used on gzipped
input-ports.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} gunzip-parse-header input-port
Parse the header of @var{input-port}. Returns @code{#f} if and only if
the port is not gzipped.
@end deffn

@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@c    Tar                                                              @c
@c ------------------------------------------------------------------- @c
@node Tar, ,Zip, Input and Output
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@subsection tar
@cindex tar

@deffn {bigloo procedure} tar-read-header [input-port]
Reads a tar header from @var{input-port}. If the input-port does not
conform the tar format, an IO exception is raised. On success a 
@emph{tar-header} descriptor is returned.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} tar-read-block tar-header [input-port]
Reads the content of the @var{tar-header} block.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} tar-round-up-to-record-size int
Rounds up tar-block sizes.
@end deffn

@deffn {bigloo procedure} tar-header-name tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-mode tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-uid tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-gid tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-size tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-mtim tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-checksum tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-type tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-linkname tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-uname tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-gname tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-devmajor tar-header
@deffnx {bigloo procedure} tar-header-devminir tar-header
Return various information about @var{tar-header}.
@end deffn

The following example simulates the Unix command @code{tar xvfz}:

@smalllisp
(define (untar path)
   (let ((pz (open-input-gzip-port path)))
      (unwind-protect
	 (let loop ((lst '()))
	    (let ((h (tar-read-header pz)))
	       (if (not h)
		   lst
		   (case (tar-header-type h)
		      ((dir)
		       (let ((path (tar-header-name h)))
			  (if (make-directory path)
			      (loop lst)
			      (error 'untar
				     "Cannot create directory"
				     path))))
		      ((normal)
		       (let* ((path (tar-header-name h))
			      (dir (dirname path)))
			  (when (and (file-exists? dir) (not (directory? dir)))
			     (delete-file dir))
			  (unless (file-exists? dir)
			     (make-directory dir))
			  (with-output-to-file path
			     (lambda ()
				(display (tar-read-block h pz))))
			  (loop (cons path lst))))
		      (else
		       (error 'untar
			      (format "Illegal file type `~a'"
				      (tar-header-type h))
			      (tar-header-name h)))))))
	 (close-input-port pz))))
@end smalllisp

@deffn {bigloo procedure} untar input-port [:directory (pwd)] [:file #f]
Untars the archive whose content is provided by the input port
@var{input-port}.

@itemize @bullet
@item If @var{:file} is provided, @code{untar} extract the content of the
file named @var{:file} and returns a string. The file name must exactly
matches the files of the archive files names. If the file does not exist,
@code{untar} returns @code{#f}.

@item If @var{:file} is not provided, it @emph{untars} the whole content,
in the directory denoted by @var{:directory}, which defaults to @code{(pwd)}.
The function @code{untar}, returns the whole list of created directories
and files.
@end itemize

@end deffn

