man(1) Manual page archive


     SEEK(2)                                                   SEEK(2)

     NAME
          seek - change file offset

     SYNOPSIS
          long seek(int fd, long n, int type)

     DESCRIPTION
          Seek sets the offset for the file associated with fd as fol-
          lows:

               If type is 0, the offset is set to n bytes.

               If type is 1, the pointer is set to its current loca-
               tion plus n.

               If type is 2, the pointer is set to the size of the
               file plus n.

          The new file offset value is returned.

          Seeking far beyond the end of a file, then writing, creates
          a gap, or `hole,' that occupies no physical space and reads
          as zeros.

          Seeking in a directory is not allowed.

     SEE ALSO
          intro(2), open(2)

     DIAGNOSTICS
          Sets errstr.