Opening files

When you want an application to use a file, you do so by referring to that file by name. The file description for that file will then control how the program and the system will interact.

You have two options regarding how your application program uses the file description:

• You can use the file description as it currently exists. In this case, the system uses the file description as is, without any change.
• You can change some or all of the parameters that are associated with the file description. A change made to a file description can be permanent or temporary. See the appropriate book for the device that you are using for information about permanent changes.

See the following topics for information on how the system handles open files:

• Scoping of opened files
• Opening files using temporary file descriptions
• Open considerations when using *LIBL with a DDM file
• Displaying information about open files
• Detecting file description changes
• Monitoring file status with the open and I/O feedback area