4.8.5.1 Ssi file links

Ssi file links provide the possibility to store data in a file using the ssi format. For storing large amounts of data, ssi file links should be used instead of ASCII links. Unlike ASCII links, data read from ssi file links is returned as expressions one at a time.

The ssi file link describing string has to be one of the following:

1. "ssi:r " + filename
   opens the file for reading.
2. "ssi:w " + filename
   opens the file for overwriting.
3. "ssi:a " + filename
   opens the file for appending.

Note that the filename may contain a path. An ssi file link can be used either for reading or for writing, but not for both at the same time. A close command must be used before a change of I/O direction.

Example:

ring r; link l="ssi:w example.ssi"; // type=ssi, mode=overwrite l; ==> // type : ssi ==> // mode : w ==> // name : example.ssi ==> // open : no ==> // read : not open ==> // write: not open ideal i=x2,y2,z2; write (l,1, i, "hello world");// write three expressions write(l,4); // append one more expression close(l); // link is closed // open the file for reading now read(l); // only first expression is read ==> 1 kill r; // no basering active now def i = read(l); // second expression // notice that current ring was set, the name was assigned // automatically listvar(ring); ==> // ssiRing0 [0] *ring def s = read(l); // third expression listvar(); ==> // s [0] string hello world ==> // ssiRing0 [0] *ring ==> // i [0] ideal, 3 generator(s) ==> // l [0] link close(l); // link is closed