iconv_open(3C)                                        iconv_open(3C)


       NAME
             iconv_open - code conversion allocation function.

       SYNOPSIS
             #include <iconv.h>
             iconv_t iconv_open(const char *tocode, const char *fromcode);

       DESCRIPTION
             iconv_open returns a conversion descriptor for the codeset
             conversion from codeset fromcode to codeset tocode. This
             descriptor is used on subsequent calls to iconv.

             The allowable values for fromcode and tocode are dependent on
             the implementation. This is also true for the different
             combinations allowed.

             A conversion descriptor is valid until the creating process
             terminates, or until it is passed to iconv_close.

          Return Values
             If iconv_open completes successfully, a conversion descriptor
             is returned.  Should the function fail,iconv_open returns
             (iconv_t)-1 and errno is set to indicate an error.

          Errors
             EMFILE    There may be no more file descriptors free for the
                       process.

             ENFILE    There may be too many open files on the system.

             ENOMEM    Not enough memory.

             EINVAL    The implementation does not support the specified
                       conversion.

       REFERENCES
             iconv(1), iconv(3C), iconv_close(3C), iconvh(5)

       NOTICES
             In some implementations, this function uses dynamic memory
             allocation (malloc) to provide space for internal buffer
             areas.  If there is not enough space to cater for these
             buffers, it is likely that the iconv_open function will fail.





                           Copyright 1994 Novell, Inc.               Page 1

      iconv_open(3C)                                        iconv_open(3C)


            Applications that are portable must assume that conversion
            descriptors are invalidated after one of the exec functions is
            called.













































                          Copyright 1994 Novell, Inc.               Page 2