io_lib(3)

MODULE
io_lib - IO Library Functions

DESCRIPTION

This module contains functions for converting to and from strings (lists of characters). They are used for implementing the functions in the io module. There is no guarantee that the character lists returned from some of the functions are flat, they can be deep lists. lists:flatten/1 can be used for flattening deep lists.

DATA TYPES
chars() = [char() | chars()]

EXPORTS

nl() -> chars()

    Returns a character list which represents a new line character.

write(Term) ->
write(Term, Depth) -> chars()

    Types
        Term = term()
        Depth = int()

    Returns a character list which represents Term. The Depth (-1) argument controls the depth of the structures written. When the specified depth is reached, everything below this level is replaced by "...". For example:
    1> lists:flatten(io_lib:write({1,[2],[3],[4,5],6,7,8,9})).
    "{1,[2],[3],[4,5],6,7,8,9}"
    2> lists:flatten(io_lib:write({1,[2],[3],[4,5],6,7,8,9}, 5)).
    "{1,[2],[3],[...],...}"

print(Term) ->
print(Term, Column, LineLength, Depth) -> chars()

    Types
        Term = term()
        Column = LineLenght = Depth = int()

    Also returns a list of characters which represents Term, but breaks representations which are longer than one line into many lines and indents each line sensibly. It also tries to detect and output lists of printable characters as strings. Column is the starting column (1), LineLength the maximum line length (80), and Depth (-1) the maximum print depth.

fwrite(Format, Data) ->
format(Format, Data) -> chars()

    Types
        Format = atom() | string() | binary()
        Data = [term()]

    Returns a character list which represents Data formatted in accordance with Format. See io:fwrite/1,2,3 for a detailed description of the available formatting options. A fault is generated if there is an error in the format string or argument list.

fread(Format, String) -> Result

    Types
        Format = String = string()
        Result = {ok, InputList, LeftOverChars} | {more, RestFormat, Nchars, InputStack} | {error, What}
        InputList = chars()
        LeftOverChars = string()
        RestFormat = string()
        Nchars = int()
        InputStack = chars()
        What = term()

    Tries to read String in accordance with the control sequences in Format. See io:fread/3 for a detailed description of the available formatting options. It is assumed that String contains whole lines. It returns:

        {ok, InputList, LeftOverChars}:
            The string was read. InputList is the list of successfully matched and read items, and LeftOverChars are the input characters not used.

        {more, RestFormat, Nchars, InputStack}:
            The string was read, but more input is needed in order to complete the original format string. RestFormat is the remaining format string, NChars the number of characters scanned, and InputStack is the reversed list of inputs matched up to that point.

        {error, What}:
            The read operation failed and the parameter What gives a hint about the error.

    Example:
    3> io_lib:fread("~f~f~f", "15.6 17.3e-6 24.5").
    {ok,[15.6,1.73e-5,24.5],[]}

fread(Continuation, String, Format) -> Return

    Types
        Continuation = see below
        String = Format = string()
        Return = {done, Result, LeftOverChars} | {more, Continuation}
        Result = {ok, InputList} | eof | {error, What}
        InputList = chars()
        What = term()()
        LeftOverChars = string()

    This is the re-entrant formatted reader. The continuation of the first call to the functions must be []. Refer to Armstrong, Virding, Williams, 'Concurrent Programming in Erlang', Chapter 13 for a complete description of how the re-entrant input scheme works.

    The function returns:

        {done, Result, LeftOverChars}:
            The input is complete. The result is one of the following:

                {ok, InputList}:
                    The string was read. InputList is the list of successfully matched and read items, and LeftOverChars are the remaining characters.

                eof:
                    End of file has been encountered. LeftOverChars are the input characters not used.

                {error, What}:
                    An error occurred and the parameter What gives a hint about the error.

        {more, Continuation}:
            More data is required to build a term. Continuation must be passed to fread/3, when more data becomes available.

write_atom(Atom) -> chars()

    Types
        Atom = atom()

    Returns the list of characters needed to print the atom Atom.

write_string(String) -> chars()

    Types
        String = string()

    Returns the list of characters needed to print String as a string.

write_char(Integer) -> chars()

    Types
        Integer = int()

    Returns the list of characters needed to print a character constant.

indentation(String, StartIndent) -> int()

    Types
        String = string()
        StartIndent = int()

    Returns the indentation if String has been printed, starting at StartIndent.

char_list(Term) -> bool()

    Types
        Term = term()

    Returns true if Term is a flat list of characters, otherwise it returns false.

deep_char_list(Term) -> bool()

    Types
        Term = term()

    Returns true if Term is a, possibly deep, list of characters, otherwise it returns false.

printable_list(Term) -> bool()

    Types
        Term = term()

    Returns true if Term is a flat list of printable characters, otherwise it returns false.