Re: xor

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:49:14 -0400, Dennis Lee Bieber wrote:

> 	The Stream_IO system (which I've never used myself) is an attempt to
> map Ada I/O onto a UNIX-style "stream" and allow for putting diverse
> element types into a single stream.

Stream_IO provides an implementation of Ada.Streams backed by files. There
are streams backed by memory, by sockets etc.

Considering Stream_IO, as Randy already pointed out, it is likely the most
efficient way to handle files.

> I believe that, for example, writing
> a "string" will result in a length value first, then <length>
> characters.

Yes, if String'Output is used. When String'Write is, then no bounds are
written.

> 	I believe my last job mostly used Text_IO in conjunction with 'image
> and 'value attributes to convert between text file and internal binary.

In many cases Stream_IO is a better choice over Text_IO, e.g. if you want
to handle file encoding, line endings etc.

Ideally, Text_IO should do it for you. But in reality, it should actually
be Wide_Wide_IO, and it is not to expect that its implementation would
really talk to the OS in order to determine the encoding and that the OS is
capable to do it properly, and the Wide_Wide_IO would really convert
anything as it reads and writes. It is also not to expect that
LF/CR/EOF-mess would be handled properly.

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de