## Writing in a File

In the current Antescofo version, it is only possible to write an output file. The schema is similar to that of an OSC message: first, a declaration opens and binds a file to a symbol. This symbol is then used to write out in the file. Then the file is eventually closed. Here is a typical example:

              openoutfile out "/tmp/tmp.txt" opt_int
              ; ...
              out "\n\tHello Wolrd\n\n"
              ; ...
              closefile out

The action `openoutfile` opens the file. Currently, there is only one possible mode to open a file: if it does not exist, it is created. If it already exists, it is truncated to zero at opening.

After `openoutfile`, the symbol `out` (a simple identifier) can be used to write in file `/tmp/tmp.txt` in a syntax that mimic messages. A ‟message” `out` is followed by a list of closed expressions, as for OSC or MAX/PD messages. Special characters in strings are interpreted as usual.

The optional integer `opt_int` at the end of the command `openoutfile` is used to minimize the impact of the i/o on the scheduling. It is interpreted as follows:

- If negative or null, the buffer associated to the file is shrunk to zero and the outputs are always flushed immediately to the file system.

- If positive, this number is used as a multiplier of the default file buffer system size. Factors greater than one increase the size of the buffer and thus reduce the number of effective i/o. The effect is usually negligible.

If the i/o's interfere with the scheduling, consider using the host environment to implement them (i.e. relying on Max or PD buffer to minimize the impact on time sensitive resources)1.

The file is automatically closed at exit. Be aware that because of file buffering, the content of the file may be not entirely written on disk before closing it. If not explicitly closed, the file remains open between program load, start and play command.

It is possible to save an Antescofo value in a file to be read somewhere else, or to dump the value of some variables to be restored later (or in another program execution). See functions @savevalue, @loadvalue, @dump, @dumpvar and @loadvar.

1. Native implementation of threaded i/o with future construct may be considered in a future version of Antescofo to minimize interference with the real-time scheduling, but current applications do not require such sophistication. ↩

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