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Length of currently-open-for-write file is ambiguous or meaningless
- To: REM@MIT-MC.ARPA
- Subject: Length of currently-open-for-write file is ambiguous or meaningless
- From: Rob MacLachlan <RAM@CMU-CS-C.ARPA>
- Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1985 08:31:00 -0000
- Cc: common-lisp@SU-AI.ARPA
- In-reply-to: Msg of 1985 Mar 19 20:54:07 PST (=GMT-8hr) from Robert Elton Maas <REM at IMSSS.SU.EDU>
I think that file-length of a stream that is open for write is
perfectly meaningful. file-length is the file-position of EOF. In
the presence of multiple concurrent writers, the result may be
ill-defined, but if that is the case, you are in bad trouble anyway.
The meaning of File-Length on the name of a file which is open for
write seems operating system dependant, and should be undefined. Since
it is in fact this case which I understand to be the basis for not
allowing file-length on file names, taking this stand would dispose of
any problems.
Rob