LSEEK(2) COMMAND REFERENCE LSEEK(2)
NAME
lseek - move read/write pointer
SYNOPSIS
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <sys/file.h>
pos = lseek(fd, offset, whence)
int pos;
int fd;
offt offset;
int whence;
DESCRIPTION
Lseek sets the file pointer of the file referenced by fd,
and returns the new value of the file pointer in pos. Fd
refers to a file or device open for reading and/or writing.
Whence is one of the following values, defined in
<sys/file.h>:
#define L_SET 0 /* set the seek pointer */
#define L_INCR 1 /* increment the seek pointer */
#define L_XTND 2 /* extend the file size */
The use of offset is described below.
Lseek sets the file pointer
If whence is L_SET, the pointer is set to offset bytes.
If whence is L_INCR, the pointer is set to its current
location plus offset.
If whence is L_XTND, the pointer is set to the size of
the file plus offset.
Upon successful completion, the resulting pointer location
as measured in bytes from beginning of the file is returned
in pos . Some devices are incapable of seeking. The value
of the pointer associated with such a device is undefined.
Seeking far beyond the end of a file, then writing, creates
a gap or "hole", which occupies no physical space and reads
as zeros.
DIAGNOSTICS
Lseek will fail and the file pointer will remain unchanged
if:
[EBADF]
Fd is not an open file descriptor.
Printed 10/17/86 1
LSEEK(2) COMMAND REFERENCE LSEEK(2)
[ESPIPE]
Fd is associated with a pipe or a socket.
[EINVAL]
Whence is not a proper value.
[EINVAL]
The new pointer would be negative.
RETURN VALUE
Upon successful completion, a non-negative integer pos, the
current file pointer value, is returned. Otherwise, a value
of -1 is returned and errno is set to indicate the error.
CAVEATS
This document's use of whence is incorrect English, but
maintained for historical reasons.
SEE ALSO
dup(2), open(2).
Printed 10/17/86 2
%%index%%
na:72,67;
sy:139,832;
de:971,1466;
di:2437,244;2825,195;
rv:3020,290;
ca:3310,164;
se:3474,123;
%%index%%000000000129