NAME

close − close a file

SYNOPSIS

close(fildes)

DESCRIPTION

Given a file descriptor such as returned from an open, creat, dup or pipe(2) call, close closes the associated file.  A close of all files is automatic on exit, but since there is a limit on the number of open files per process, close is necessary for programs which deal with many files. 

Files are closed upon termination of a process, and certain high-numbered file descriptors are closed by exec(2).

SEE ALSO

creat(2), open(2), pipe(2), exec(2)

DIAGNOSTICS

Zero is returned if a file is closed; −1 is returned for an unknown file descriptor. 

ASSEMBLER (PDP-11)

(close = 6.) 
(file descriptor in r0)
sys close

BUGS

A file cannot be closed while there are pages which have been vread but not referenced. 

7th Edition