File interface

This topic describes the file interface concept.

The RFile class represents an individual file and provides functions required to open, create or replace a file given its name, or to open a temporary file.

Various Write() functions write data from a binary descriptor, and Read() functions read data into a binary descriptor. These functions provide a binary, stream-mode, interface. They are available in synchronous or asynchronous forms.

The TFileText class provides a record-based text interface which deals with the details of character-to-byte conversion.

Files may be opened exclusively or shared, and for shared files, a region may be locked.

A file's attributes and directory entry values may be changed while the file is open. The file may also be renamed while it is open.