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25. Command reference

25.85. INPUT(n,fn)

This function reads records from an opened file.

Arguments:

• n the first argument is the number of records to read. The size of the record in terms of bytes is defined as the LEN parameter when the file was opened. If this was missing the function reads n bytes from the file or socket.
• fn the second parameter is the file number associated to the opened file by the command OPEN. If this parameter is missing the function reads from the standard input.

The function tries but not necessarily reads n records from the file. To get the actual number of bytes (and not records!) read from the file you can use the function LEN on the result string.

Note that some Basic languages allow the form

a = INPUT(20,#1)

however this extra # is not allowed in ScriptBasic. The character # is an operator in ScriptBasic defined as no-operation and therefore you can use this form. On the other hand operators like # are reserved for the external modules and some external module may redefine this operator. Programs using such modules may end up in trouble when using the format above therefore it is recommended not to use the above format.