READ(2)

NAME
read - read from file

SYNOPSIS
read(fildes, buffer, nbytes)
char *buffer;

DESCRIPTION
A file descriptor is a word returned from a successful open, creat, dup, or pipe call. Buffer is the location of nbytes contiguous bytes into which the input will be placed. It is not guaranteed that all nbytes bytes will be read; for example if the file refers to a typewriter at most one line will be returned. In any event the number of characters read is returned.

If the returned value is 0, then end-of-file has been reached.

If very large data files are to be accessed randomly, see vread (2)

SEE ALSO
open(2), creat(2), dup(2), pipe(2), vread(2)

DIAGNOSTICS
As mentioned, 0 is returned when the end of the file has been reached. If the read was otherwise unsuccessful the return value is -1. Many conditions can generate an error: physical I/O errors, bad buffer address, preposterous nbytes, file descriptor not that of an input file.

ASSEMBLER (PDP-11)
(read = 3.)
(file descriptor in r0)
sys read; buffer; nbytes
(byte count in r0)