pwrite(), pwrite64()

Write into a file without changing the file pointer

Synopsis:

#include <unistd.h>

ssize_t pwrite( int filedes,
                const void* buff,
                size_t nbytes,
                off_t offset );

ssize_t pwrite64( int filedes,
                  const void* buff,
                  size_t nbytes,
                  off64_t offset );

Library:

libc

Description:

The pwrite() function performs the same action as write(), except that it writes into a given position without changing the file pointer. The first three arguments to pwrite() are the same as write() with the addition of a fourth argument, offset for the desired position inside the file.

The pwrite64() function is a 64-bit version of pwrite().

Returns:

The number of bytes actually written, or -1 if an error occurred (errno is set).

Errors:

EAGAIN

The O_NONBLOCK flag is set for the file descriptor, and the process would be delayed in the write operation.

EBADF

The file descriptor, fildes, isn't a valid file descriptor open for writing.

EFBIG

File is too big.

EINTR

The write operation was interrupted by a signal, and either no data was transferred, or the resource manager responsible for that file doesn't report partial transfers.

EIO

A physical I/O error occurred (for example, a bad block on a disk). The precise meaning is device-dependent.

ENOSPC

There's no free space remaining on the device containing the file.

ENOSYS

The pwrite() function isn't implemented for the filesystem specified by filedes.

EPIPE

An attempt was made to write to a pipe (or FIFO) that isn't open for reading by any process. A SIGPIPE signal is also sent to the process.

Classification:

pwrite() is standard Unix; pwrite64() is for large-file support

See also:

close(), creat(), dup(), dup2(), errno, fcntl(), lseek(), open(), pipe(), pread(), read(), readv(), select(), write(), writev()