io.output()

Type Function
Library io.*
Return value Object
Revision Release 2022.3683
Keywords io, output, file
See also io.input()
io.flush()
io.write()

Overview

Sets the standard output file. When called with a file name, it opens the named file in text mode and sets its handle as the default output file. When called with a file handle, it simply sets this file handle as the default output file. When called without parameters, it returns the current default output file.

The default output is stdout which is the Corona Simulator Console. This is similar behavior to io.input() but operates over the default output file.

This function returns a file handle of the just-opened file or the handle to the current input file handle.

Syntax

io.output( [file] )
file (optional)

String or Object. File name or file handle.

Example

local tmp = io.output()     -- Save current file handle
local path = system.pathForFile( "newFile.txt", system.DocumentsDirectory  )
io.output( path )           -- Open new file in text mode
 
io.write( "My real data" )  -- Write the file
 
io.output():close()         -- Close the file
io.output( tmp )            -- Restore the previous file