Chapter 12: Problem 40

A negative offset causes the file's read or write position to be moved __ in the file from the position specified by the mode.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The movement occurs backwards, or towards the beginning of the file, in relation to the position specified by the mode.

Step by step solution

Understand the concept of file read and write positions and offset

An important aspect of files is the current read or write position. It is like a cursor that indicates the position from which the next read or write operation in the file takes place. When a file is read or written, the position is moved forward by the number of bytes read or written. An offset is the value used to move the read or write position either forward (positive offset) or backward (negative offset) concerning the current position or the position specified by the mode.

Recognize the effect of negative offset on the read or write position

A negative offset value moves the read or write position backward in the file. This means it goes towards the beginning of the file rather than to the end. The magnitude of the negative value represents how many bytes back from the position we need to move the read or write cursor.

Identify the correct direction given a negative offset

Since we know that a negative offset moves the read or write position backward concerning the position specified by the mode, the correct answer should be "backwards" or "towards the beginning" of the file. In conclusion, a negative offset causes the file's read or write position to be moved backwards in the file from the position specified by the mode.

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A negative offset causes the file's read or write position to be moved __ in the file from the position specified by the mode.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the concept of file read and write positions and offset

Recognize the effect of negative offset on the read or write position

Identify the correct direction given a negative offset

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