io.output()

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] )

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