Index: libstdtypes.tex =================================================================== RCS file: /cvsroot/python/python/dist/src/Doc/lib/libstdtypes.tex,v retrieving revision 1.50 diff -u -r1.50 libstdtypes.tex --- libstdtypes.tex 2001/01/17 01:18:00 1.50 +++ libstdtypes.tex 2001/01/25 16:46:40 @@ -1142,6 +1142,24 @@ \UNIX{} versions support this operation). \end{methoddesc} +\begin{methoddesc}[file]{waiting}{} + Return the number of bytes waiting to be read from this file object. + For regular files, this returns the size of the file in bytes minus + the current seek address, as would be returned by \method{tell()}; a + zero return can be used to detect EOF. For streams such as FIFOs, + sockets, Unix ttys, and other Unix character devices, this method + returns the number of bytes currently buffered up and waiting to be + read. Attempts to call this method on Unix block devices or + on directories will raise an error. + \footnote{The \method{waiting()} method uses + \cfunction{fstat(2)} and \cfunction{lseek(2)} on plain files; + these should be reliable on all of Unix, Windows, and MacOS. + It uses the FIONREAD ioctl(2) call to query FIFOs, sockets, + Unix ttys, and other POSIX character devices; FIFO and socket + behavior should be consistent across all three platforms, but + the results from querying other character devices may vary.} +\end{methoddesc} + \begin{methoddesc}[file]{write}{str} Write a string to the file. There is no return value. Note: Due to buffering, the string may not actually show up in the file until -- <a href="http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/">Eric S. Raymond</a> "To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them." -- George Mason, speech of June 14, 1788