Functions wikifmt

Complete List of Functions

Generated by cli/gendoc from var.h 03 FEB 2025 16:16:23

Math/Boolean

Usage	Function	Description
var=	num.abs()	Absolute value let v1 = var(-12.34).abs(); // 12.34 // or let v2 = abs(-12.34);
var=	num.pwr(exponent)	Power let v1 = var(2).pwr(8); // 256 // or let v2 = pwr(2, 8);
var=	num.rnd()	Pseudo random number generator let v1 = var(100).rnd(); // 0 to 99 pseudo random // or let v2 = rnd(100);
cmd	num.initrnd()	Initialise the seed for rnd() var(123).initrnd(); // Set seed to 123 // or initrnd(123);
var=	num.exp()	Power of e let v1 = var(1).exp(); // 2.718281828459045 // or let v2 = exp(1);
var=	num.sqrt()	Square root let v1 = var(100).sqrt(); // 10 // or let v2 = sqrt(100);
var=	num.sin()	Sine of degrees let v1 = var(30).sin(); // 0.5 // or let v2 = sin(30);
var=	num.cos()	Cosine of degrees let v1 = var(60).cos(); // 0.5 // or let v2 = cos(60);
var=	num.tan()	Tangent of degrees let v1 = var(45).tan(); // 1 // or let v2 = tan(45);
var=	num.atan()	Arctangent of degrees let v1 = var(1).atan(); // 45 // or let v2 = atan(1);
var=	num.loge()	Natural logarithm let v1 = var(2.718281828459045).loge(); // 1 // or let v2 = loge(2.718281828459045);
var=	num.integer()	Truncate decimal numbers towards zero let v1 = var(2.9).integer(); // 2 // or let v2 = integer(2.9); var v3 = var(-2.9).integer(); // -2 // or var v4 = integer(-2.9);
var=	num.floor()	Truncate decimal numbers towards negative let v1 = var(2.9).floor(); // 2 // or let v2 = floor(2.9); var v3 = var(-2.9).floor(); // -3 // or var v4 = floor(-2.9);
var=	num.round(ndecimals = 0)	Round decimal numbers to a desired number of decimal places .5 always rounds away from zero. let v1 = var(0.455).round(2); // 0.46 // or let v2 = round(1.455, 2); var v3 = var(-0.455).round(2); // -0.46 // or var v4 = round(-1.455, 2);
var=	num.mod(modulus)	Modulus function Identical to C++ % operator only for positive numbers and modulus Negative denominators are considered as periodic with positiive numbers Result is between [0 , modulus) if modulus is positive Result is between (modulus, 0] if modulus is negative (symmetric) mod(11, 5); // "1" mod(-11, 5); // "4" mod(11, -5); // "-4" mod(-11, -5); // "-1" let v1 = var(11).mod(5); // 1 // or let v2 = mod(11, 5);

Locale

Usage	Function	Description
expr	var.getxlocale()	Gets the current thread's default locale codepage code let v1 = var().getxlocale(); // e.g. "en_US.utf8" // or let v2 = getxlocale();
if	strvar.setxlocale()	Sets the current thread's default locale codepage code if (not "de_DE.utf8"_var.setxlocale()) ... // true if successful // or if (setxlocale("de_DE.utf8")) ...

String Creation

Usage	Function	Description
var=	var().chr(num)	Create a string of a single char (byte) given an integer 0-255. 0-127 -> ASCII, 128-255 -> invalid UTF-8 so cannot be written to database or used various exodus string operations let v1 = var().chr(0x61); // "a" // or let v2 = chr(0x61);
var=	var().textchr(num)	Create a string of a single unicode code point in utf8 encoding. To get utf codepoints > 2^63 you must provide negative ints Not providing implicit constructor from var to unsigned int due to getting ambigious conversions since int and unsigned int are parallel priority in c++ implicit conversions let v1 = var().textchr(171416); // "𩶘" or "\xF0A9B698" // or let v2 = textchr(171416);
var=	var().str(num)	Create a string by repeating a given character or string let v1 = "ab"_var.str(3); // "ababab" // or let v2 = str("ab", 3);
var=	num.space()	Create string of space characters. let v1 = var(3).space(); // "␣␣␣" // or let v2 = space(3);
var=	num.numberinwords(languagename_or_locale_id = "")	Create a string describing a given number in words let v1 = var(123.45).numberinwords("de_DE"); // "ein­hundert­drei­und­zwanzig Komma vier fünf"

String Scanning

Usage	Function	Description
var=	strvar.seq()	Returns: The character number of the first char. let v1 = "abc"_var.seq(); // 0x61 97 // or let v2 = seq("abc");
var=	strvar.textseq()	Returns: The Unicode character number of the first unicode code point. let v1 = "Γ"_var.textseq(); // 915 U+0393: Greek Capital Letter Gamma (Unicode Character) // or let v2 = textseq("Γ");
var=	strvar.len()	Returns: The length of a string in number of chars let v1 = "abc"_var.len(); // 3 // or let v2 = len("abc");
var=	strvar.textwidth()	Returns: The number of output columns. Allows multi column unicode and reduces combining characters etc. like e followed by grave accent Possibly does not properly calculate combining sequences of graphemes e.g. face followed by colour let v1 = "🤡x🤡"_var.textwidth(); // 5 // or let v2 = textwidth("🤡x🤡");
var=	strvar.textlen()	Returns: The number of Unicode code points let v1 = "Γιάννης"_var.textlen(); // 7 // or let v2 = textlen("Γιάννης");
var=	strvar.fcount(sepstr)	Returns: The number of fields determined by presence of sepstr. It is the same as var.count(sepstr) + 1 except that fcount returns 0 for an empty string. let v1 = "aa**cc"_var.fcount("*"); // 3 // or let v2 = fcount("aa**cc", "*");
var=	strvar.count(sepstr)	Returns the number of sepstr found let v1 = "aa**cc"_var.count("*"); // 2 // or let v2 = count("aa**cc", "*");
if	strvar.starts(prefix)	Returns: True if starts with prefix let v1 = "abc"_var.starts("ab"); // true // or let v2 = starts("abc", "ab");
if	strvar.ends(suffix)	Returns: True if ends with suffix let v1 = "abc"_var.ends("bc"); // true // or let v2 = ends("abc", "bc");
if	strvar.contains(substr)	Returns: True if starts, ends or contains substr let v1 = "abcd"_var.contains("bc"); // true // or let v2 = contains("abcd", "bc");
var=	strvar.index(substr, startchar1 = 1)	Returns: Char no if found or 0 if not. startchar1 is byte no to start at. let v1 = "abcd"_var.index("bc"); // 2 // or let v2 = index("abcd", "bc");
var=	strvar.indexn(substr, occurrence)	ditto. Occurrence 1 = find first occurrence let v1 = "abcabc"_var.index("bc", 2); // 5 // or let v2 = index("abcabc", "bc", 2);
var=	strvar.indexr(substr, startchar1 = -1)	ditto. Reverse search. startchar1 defaults to -1 meaning start searching from the last byte (towards the first byte). let v1 = "abcabc"_var.indexr("bc"); // 5 // or let v2 = indexr("abcabc", "bc");
var=	strvar.match(regex_str, regex_options = "")	Returns: All results of regex matching Multiple matches are in fields. Groups are in values let v1 = "abc1abc2"_var.match("BC(\\d)", "i"); // "bc1]1^bc2]2" // or let v2 = match("abc1abc2", "BC(\\d)", "i"); regex_options: l - Literal (any regex chars are treated as normal chars) i - Case insensitive p - ECMAScript/Perl (the default) b - Basic POSIX (same as sed) e - Extended POSIX a - awk g - grep eg - egrep or grep -E char ranges like a-z are locale sensitive if ECMAScript m - Multiline. Default in boost (and therefore exodus) s - Single line. Default in std::regex f - First only. Only for replace() (not match() or search()) w - Wildcard glob style (e.g. *.cfg) not regex style. Only for match() and search(). Not replace().
var=	strvar.match(regex)	Ditto
var=	strvar.search(regex_str, io startchar1, regex_options = "")	Search for first match of a regular expression starting at startchar1 Updates startchar1 ready to search for the next match regex_options as for match() var startchar1 = 1; let v1 = "abc1abc2"_var.search("BC(\\d)", startchar1, "i"); // returns "bc1]1" and startchar1 is updated to 5 ready for the next search // or startchar1 = 1; let v2 = search("abc1abc2", "BC(\\d)", startchar1, "i");
var=	strvar.search(regex_str)	Ditto starting from first char
var=	strvar.search(regex, io startchar1)	Ditto given a rex
var=	strvar.search(regex)	Ditto starting from first char.

String Conversion - Chainable. Non-Mutating

Usage	Function	Description
var=	strvar.ucase()	Upper case let v1 = "Γιάννης"_var.ucase(); // "ΓΙΆΝΝΗΣ" // or let v2 = ucase("Γιάννης");
var=	strvar.lcase()	Lower case let v1 = "ΓΙΆΝΝΗΣ"_var.lcase(); // "γιάννης" // or let v2 = lcase("ΓΙΆΝΝΗΣ");
var=	strvar.tcase()	Title case (first letters) let v1 = "γιάννης"_var.tcase(); // "Γιάννης" // or let v2 = tcase("γιάννης");
var=	strvar.fcase()	Fold case (lower case and remove accents for indexing)
var=	strvar.normalize()	Normalise Unicode to NFC to eliminate different code combinations of the same character
var=	strvar.invert()	Simple reversible disguising of text let v1 = "abc"_var.invert(); // "\x{C29EC29DC29C}" // or let v2 = invert("abc");
var=	strvar.lower()	Convert all FM to VM, VM to SM etc. let v1 = "a1^b2^c3"_var.lower(); // "a1]b2]c3" // or let v2 = lower("a1^b2^c3"_var);
var=	strvar.raise()	Convert all VM to FM, SM to VM etc. let v1 = "a1]b2]c3"_var.raise(); // "a1^b2^c3" // or let v2 = "a1]b2]c3"_var;
var=	strvar.crop()	Remove any redundant FM, VM etc. characters (Trailing FM; VM before FM etc.) let v1 = "a1^b2]]^c3^^"_var.crop(); // "a1^b2^c3" // or let v2 = crop("a1^b2]]^c3^^"_var);
var=	strvar.quote()	Wrap in double quotes let v1 = "abc"_var.quote(); // ""abc"" // or let v2 = quote("abc");
var=	strvar.squote()	Wrap in single quotes let v1 = "abc"_var.squote(); // "'abc'" // or let v2 = squote("abc");
var=	strvar.unquote()	Remove one pair of double or single quotes let v1 = "'abc'"_var.unquote(); // "abc" // or let v2 = unquote("'abc'");
var=	strvar.trim(trimchars = " ")	Remove leading, trailing and excessive inner bytes let v1 = "␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣"_var.trim(); // "a1␣b2␣c3" // or let v2 = trim("␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣");
var=	strvar.trimfirst(trimchars = " ")	Ditto leading let v1 = "␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣"_var.trimfirst(); // "a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣" // or let v2 = trimfirst("␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣");
var=	strvar.trimlast(trimchars = " ")	Ditto trailing let v1 = "␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣"_var.trimlast(); // "␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3" // or let v2 = trimlast("␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣");
var=	strvar.trimboth(trimchars = " ")	Ditto leading, trailing but not inner let v1 = "␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣"_var.trimboth(); // "a1␣␣b2␣c3" // or let v2 = trimboth("␣␣a1␣␣b2␣c3␣␣");
var=	strvar.first()	Extract first char or "" if empty let v1 = "abc"_var.first(); // "a" // or let v2 = first("abc");
var=	strvar.last()	Extract last char or "" if empty let v1 = "abc"_var.last(); // "c" // or let v2 = last("abc");
var=	strvar.first(std::size_t length)	Extract up to length leading chars let v1 = "abc"_var.first(2); // "ab" // or let v2 = first("abc", 2);
var=	strvar.last(std::size_t length)	Extract up to length trailing chars let v1 = "abc"_var.last(2); // "bc" // or let v2 = last("abc", 2);
var=	strvar.cut(length)	Remove length leading chars let v1 = "abcd"_var.cut(2); // "cd" // or let v2 = cut("abcd", 2);
var=	strvar.paste(pos1, length, insertstr)	Insert text at char position overwriting length chars let v1 = "abcd"_var.paste(2, 2, "XYZ"); // "aXYZd" // or let v2 = paste("abcd", 2, 2, "XYZ");
var=	strvar.paste(pos1, insertstr)	Insert text at char position without overwriting any following characters let v1 = "abcd"_var.paste(2, "XYZ"); // "aXYbcd" // or let v2 = paste("abcd", 2, "XYZ");
var=	strvar.prefix(insertstr)	Insert text at the beginning let v1 = "abc"_var.prefix("XY"); // "XYabc" // or let v2 = prefix("abc", "XY");
var=	strvar.pop()	Remove one trailing char let v1 = "abc"_var.pop(); // "ab" // or let v2 = pop("abc");
var=	strvar.fieldstore(separator, fieldno, nfields, replacement)	fieldstore() replaces n fields of subfield(s) in a string. let v1 = "aa*bb*cc*dd"_var.fieldstore("*", 2, 3, "X*Y"); // "aa*X*Y*" // or let v2 = fieldstore("aa*bb*cc*dd", "*", 2, 3, "X*Y"); If nfields is 0 then insert fields before fieldno let v1 = "a1*b2*c3*d4"_var.fieldstore("*", 2, 0, "X*Y"); // "a1*X*Y*b2*c3*d4" // or let v2 = fieldstore("a1*b2*c3*d4", "*", 2, 0, "X*Y"); If nfields is negative then delete abs(n) fields before inserting. let v1 = "a1*b2*c3*d4"_var.fieldstore("*", 2, -3, "X*Y"); // "a1*X*Y" // or let v2 = fieldstore("a1*b2*c3*d4", "*", 2, -3, "X*Y");
var=	strvar.substr(pos1, length)	substr version 1. Extract length chars starting at pos1 let v1 = "abcd"_var.substr(2, 2); // "bc" // or let v2 = substr("abcd", 2, 2); If length is negative then work backwards and return chars reversed let v1 = "abcd"_var.substr(3, -2); // "cb" // or let v2 = substr("abcd", 3, -2);
var=	strvar.substr(pos1)	substr version 2. Extract all chars from pos1 up to the end let v1 = "abcd"_var.substr(2); // "bcd" // or let v2 = substr("abcd", 2);
var=	strvar.b(pos1, length)	Same as substr version 1.
var=	strvar.b(pos1)	Same as substr version 2.
var=	strvar.convert(fromchars, tochars)	Convert chars to other chars one for one or delete where tochars is shorter. let v1 = "abcde"_var.convert("aZd", "XY"); // "Xbce" (a is replaced and d is removed) // or let v2 = convert("abcde", "aZd", "XY");
var=	strvar.textconvert(fromchars, tochars)	Ditto for Unicode code points. let v1 = "a🤡b😀c🌍d"_var.textconvert("🤡😀", "👋"); // "a👋bc🌍d" // or let v2 = textconvert("a🤡b😀c🌍d", "🤡😀", "👋");
var=	strvar.replace(fromstr, tostr)	Replace all occurrences of a substr with another. Case sensitive let v1 = "Abc Abc"_var.replace("bc", "X"); // "AX AX" // or let v2 = replace("Abc Abc", "bc", "X");
var=	strvar.replace(regex, tostr)	Replace substring(s) using a regular expression. Use $0, $1, $2 in tostr to refer to groups defined in the regex. let v1 = "A a B b"_var.replace("[A-Z]"_rex, "'$0'"); // "'A' a 'B' b" // or let v2 = replace("A a B b", "[A-Z]"_rex, "'$0'");
var=	strvar.unique()	Remove duplicate fields in an FM or VM etc. separated list let v1 = "a1^b2^a1^c2"_var.unique(); // "a1^b2^c2" // or let v2 = unique("a1^b2^a1^c2"_var);
var=	strvar.sort(sepchar = FM)	Reorder fields in an FM or VM etc. separated list in ascending order Numerical let v1 = "20^10^2^1^1.1"_var.sort(); // "1^1.1^2^10^20" // or let v2 = sort("20^10^2^1^1.1"_var); Alphabetical let v1 = "b1^a1^c20^c10^c2^c1^b2"_var.sort(); // "a1^b1^b2^c1^c10^c2^c20" // or let v2 = sort("b1^a1^c20^c10^c2^c1^b2"_var);
var=	strvar.reverse(sepchar = FM)	Reorder fields in an FM or VM etc. separated list in descending order let v1 = "20^10^2^1^1.1"_var.reverse(); // "1.1^1^2^10^20" // or let v2 = reverse("20^10^2^1^1.1"_var);
var=	strvar.shuffle(sepchar = FM)	Randomise the order of fields in an FM, VM separated list let v1 = "20^10^2^1^1.1"_var.shuffle(); // "2^1^20^1.1^10" (random order depending on initrand()) // or let v2 = shuffle("20^10^2^1^1.1"_var);
var=	strvar.parse(char sepchar = ' ')	Replace separator characters with FM char except inside double or single quotes ignoring escaped quotes \" \' let v1 = "abc,\"def,\"123\" fgh\",12.34"_var.parse(','); // "abc^"def,"123" fgh"^12.34" // or let v2 = parse("abc,\"def,\"123\" fgh\",12.34", ',');

String Mutator Standalone Commands. All Similar To Non-Mutators

Usage	Function	Description
cmd	strvar.ucaser()	Upper case All string mutators follow the same pattern as ucaser. See the non-mutating functions for details. var v1 = "abc"; v1.ucaser(); // "ABC" // or ucaser(v1);
cmd	strvar.lcaser()
cmd	strvar.tcaser()
cmd	strvar.fcaser()
cmd	strvar.normalizer()
cmd	strvar.inverter()
cmd	strvar.quoter()
cmd	strvar.squoter()
cmd	strvar.unquoter()
cmd	strvar.lowerer()
cmd	strvar.raiser()
cmd	strvar.cropper()
cmd	strvar.trimmer(trimchars = " ")
cmd	strvar.trimmerfirst(trimchars = " ")
cmd	strvar.trimmerlast(trimchars = " ")
cmd	strvar.trimmerboth(trimchars = " ")
cmd	strvar.firster()
cmd	strvar.laster()
cmd	strvar.firster(std::size_t length)
cmd	strvar.laster(std::size_t length)
cmd	strvar.cutter(length)
cmd	strvar.paster(pos1, length, insertstr)
cmd	strvar.paster(pos1, insertstr)
cmd	strvar.prefixer(insertstr)
cmd	strvar.popper()
cmd	strvar.fieldstorer(sepchar, fieldno, nfields, replacement)
cmd	strvar.substrer(pos1, length)
cmd	strvar.substrer(pos1)
cmd	strvar.converter(fromchars, tochars)
cmd	strvar.textconverter(fromchars, tochars)
cmd	strvar.replacer(regex, tostr)
cmd	strvar.replacer(fromstr, tostr)
cmd	strvar.uniquer()
cmd	strvar.sorter(sepchar = FM)
cmd	strvar.reverser(sepchar = FM)
cmd	strvar.shuffler(sepchar = FM)
cmd	strvar.parser(char sepchar = ' ')

Other String Access

Usage	Function	Description
var=	strvar.hash(std::uint64_t modulus = 0)	Hash by default returns a 64 bit signed integer as a var. If a modulus is provided then the result is limited to [0, modulus) MurmurHash3 is used. let v1 = "abc"_var.hash(); // 6715211243465481821 // or let v2 = hash("abc");
var=	strvar.substr(pos1, delimiterchars, io pos2)	substr version 3. Extract a substr starting from pos1 up to any one of some given delimiter chars Also returns in pos2 the pos of the following delimiter or one past the end of the string if not found. Add 1 to pos2 start the next search if continuing. var pos1a = 4, pos2a; let v1 = "aa,bb,cc"_var.substr(pos1a, ",", pos2a); // "bb" and pos2 -> 6 // or var pos1b = 4, pos2b; let v2 = substr("aa,bb,cc", pos1b, ",", pos2b);
var=	strvar.b(pos1, delimiterchars, io pos2)	Alias of substr version 3.
var=	strvar.substr2(io pos1, out delimiterno)	substr version 4. Returns: A substr from a given pos1 up to the next RM/FM/VM/SM/TM/ST delimiter char. Also returns the next index/offset and the delimiter no. found 1-6 or 0 if not found. var pos1a = 4, delim1; let v1 = "aa^bb^cc"_var.substr2(pos1a, delim1); // "bb", pos1a -> 7, delim -> 2 (FM) // or var pos1b = 4, delim2; let v2 = substr2("aa^bb^cc"_var, pos1b, delim2);
var=	strvar.b2(io pos1, out delimiterno)	Alias of substr version 4
var=	strvar.field(strx, fieldnx = 1, nfieldsx = 1)	Extract one or more consecutive fields given a delimiter char or substr. let v1 = "aa*bb*cc"_var.field("*", 2); // "bb" // or let v2 = field("aa*bb*cc", "*", 2);
var=	strvar.field2(separator, fieldno, nfields = 1)	field2 is a version that treats fieldn -1 as the last field, -2 the penultimate field etc. - TODO Should probably make field() do this (since -1 is basically an erroneous call) and remove field2 Same as var.field() but negative fieldnos work backwards from the last field. let v1 = "aa*bb*cc"_var.field2("*", -1); // "cc" // or let v2 = field2("aa*bb*cc", "*", -1);

I/O Conversion

Usage	Function	Description
var=	var.oconv(convstr)	Converts internal data to output external display format according to a given conversion code or pattern If the internal data is invalid and cannot be converted then most conversions return the ORIGINAL data unconverted Throws a runtime error VarNotImplemented if convstr is invalid See #ICONV/OCONV PATTERNS let v1 = var(30123).oconv("D/E"); // "21/06/2050" // or let v2 = oconv(30123, "D/E");
var=	var.iconv(convstr)	Converts external data to internal format according to a given conversion code or pattern If the external data is invalid and cannot be converted then most conversions return the EMPTY STRING "" Throws a runtime error VarNotImplemented if convstr is invalid See #ICONV/OCONV PATTERNS let v1 = "21 JUN 2050"_var.iconv("D/E"); // 30123 // or let v2 = iconv("21 JUN 2050", "D/E");
var=	var.format(fmt_str, Args&&... args)	Classic format function in printf style vars can be formatted either with C++ format codes e.g. {:_>8.2f} or with exodus oconv codes e.g. {::MD20P|R(_)#8} as in the below example. let v1 = var(12.345).format("'{:_>8.2f}'"); // "'___12.35'" let v2 = var(12.345).format("'{::MD20P|R(_)#8}'"); // or var v3 = format("'{:_>8.2f}'", var(12.345)); // "'___12.35'" var v4 = format("'{::MD20P|R(_)#8}'", var(12.345));
var=	strvar.from_codepage(codepage)	Converts from codepage encoded text to UTF-8 encoded text e.g. Codepage "CP1124" (Ukrainian). Use Linux command "iconv -l" for complete list of code pages and encodings. let v1 = "\xa4"_var.from_codepage("CP1124"); // "Є" // or let v2 = from_codepage("\xa4", "CP1124"); // U+0404 Cyrillic Capital Letter Ukrainian Ie Unicode Character
var=	strvar.to_codepage(codepage)	Converts to codepage encoded text from UTF-8 encoded text let v1 = "Є"_var.to_codepage("CP1124").oconv("HEX"); // "A4" // or let v2 = to_codepage("Є", "CP1124").oconv("HEX");

Basic Dynamic Array Functions

Usage	Function	Description
var=	strvar.f(fieldno, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	f() is a highly abbreviated alias for the PICK OS field/value/subvalue extract() function. "f()" can be thought of as "field" although the function can extract values and subvalues as well. The convenient PICK OS angle bracket syntax for field extraction (e.g. xxx<20>) is not available in C++. The abbreviated exodus field extraction function (e.g. xxx.f(20)) is provided instead since field access is extremely heavily used in source code. let v1 = "f1^f2v1]f2v2]f2v3^f2"_var; let v2 = v1.f(2, 2); // "f2v2"
var=	strvar.extract(fieldno, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	Extract a specific field, value or subvalue from a dynamic array. let v1 = "f1^f2v1]f2v2]f2v3^f2"_var; let v2 = v1.extract(2, 2); // "f2v2" // // The alias "f" is normally used instead for brevity var v3 = v1.f(2, 2);
var=	strvar.pickreplace(fieldno, valueno, subvalueno, replacement)	Same as var.r() function but returns a new string instead of updating a variable in place. Rarely used.
var=	strvar.pickreplace(fieldno, valueno, replacement)	Ditto for a specific multivalue
var=	strvar.pickreplace(fieldno, replacement)	Ditto for a specific field
var=	strvar.insert(fieldno, valueno, subvalueno, insertion)	Same as var.inserter() function but returns a new string instead of updating a variable in place.
var=	strvar.insert(fieldno, valueno, insertion)	Ditto for a specific multivalue
var=	strvar.insert(fieldno, insertion)	Ditto for a specific field
var=	strvar.remove(fieldno, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	Same as var.remover() function but returns a new string instead of updating a variable in place. "remove" was called "delete" in Pick OS.

Dynamic Array Filters

Usage	Function	Description
var=	strvar.sum()	Sum up multiple values into one higher level let v1 = "1]2]3^4]5]6"_var.sum(); // "6^15" // or let v2 = sum("1]2]3^4]5]6"_var);
var=	strvar.sumall()	Sum up all levels into a single figure let v1 = "1]2]3^4]5]6"_var.sumall(); // "21" // or let v2 = sumall("1]2]3^4]5]6"_var);
var=	strvar.sum(sepchar)	Ditto allowing commas etc. let v1 = "10,20,33"_var.sum(","); // "60" // or let v2 = sum("10,20,33", ",");
var=	strvar.mv(opcode, var2)	Binary ops (+, -, *, /) in parallel on multiple values let v1 = "10]20]30"_var.mv("+","2]3]4"_var); // "12]23]34"

Dynamic Array Mutators Standalone Commands

Usage	Function	Description
cmd	strvar.r(fieldno, replacement)	Replaces a specific field in a dynamic array var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.r(2, 2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^X^f3"
cmd	strvar.r(fieldno, valueno, replacement)	Ditto for specific value in a specific field. var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.r(2, 2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^v1]X^f3"
cmd	strvar.r(fieldno, valueno, subvalueno, replacement)	Ditto for a specific subvalue in a specific value of a specific field var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.r(2, 2, 2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^v1]v2}X}s3^f3"
cmd	strvar.inserter(fieldno, insertion)	Insert a specific field in a dynamic array, moving all other fields up. var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.inserter(2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^X^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3" // or inserter(v1, 2, "X");
cmd	strvar.inserter(fieldno, valueno, insertion)	Ditto for a specific value in a specific field, moving all other values up. var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.inserter(2, 2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^v1]X]v2}s2}s3^f3" // or inserter(v1, 2, 2, "X");
cmd	strvar.inserter(fieldno, valueno, subvalueno, insertion)	Ditto for a specific subvalue in a dynamic array, moving all other subvalues up. var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.inserter(2, 2, 2, "X"); // v1 -> "f1^v1]v2}X}s2}s3^f3" // or v1.inserter(2, 2, 2, "X");
cmd	strvar.remover(fieldno, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	Remove a specific field (or value, or subvalue) from a dynamic array, moving all other fields (or values, or subvalues) down. var v1 = "f1^v1]v2}s2}s3^f3"_var; v1.remover(2, 2); // v1 -> "f1^v1^f3" // or remover(v1, 2, 2);

Dynamic Array Search

Usage	Function	Description
if	strvar.locate(target)	locate() with only the target substr argument provided searches unordered values separated by VM chars. Returns: True if found and false if not. if ("UK]US]UA"_var.locate("US")) ... // true // or if (locate("US", "UK]US]UA"_var)) ...
if	strvar.locate(target, out valueno)	locate() with only the target substr and valueno arguments provided searches unordered values separated by VM chars. Returns: True if found and with the value number in valueno. Returns: False if not found and with the max value number + 1 in setting. Suitable for additiom of new values var valueno; if ("UK]US]UA"_var.locate("US", valueno)) ... // returns true and valueno = 2
if	strvar.locate(target, out setting, fieldno, valueno = 0)	locate() the target in unordered fields if fieldno is 0, or values if a fieldno is specified, or subvalues if the valueno argument is provided. Returns: True if found and with the field, value or subvalue number in setting. Returns: False if not found and with the max field, value or subvalue number found + 1 in setting. Suitable for replacement of new fields, values or subvalues. var setting; if ("f1^f2v1]f2v2]s1}s2}s3}s4^f3^f4"_var.locate("s4", setting, 2, 3)) ... // returns true and setting = 4
if	strvar.locateby(ordercode, target, out valueno)	locateby() without fieldno or valueno arguments searches ordered values separated by VM chars. The order code can be AL, DL, AR, DR meaning Ascending Left, Descending Right, Ascending Right, Ascending Left. Left is used to indicate alphabetic order where 10 < 2. Right is used to indicate numeric order where 10 > 2. Data must be in the correct order for searching to work properly. Returns: True if found. In case the target is not exactly found then the correct value no for inserting the target is returned in setting. var valueno; if ("aaa]bbb]ccc"_var.locateby("AL", "bb", valueno)) ... // returns false and valueno = 2 where it could be correctly inserted.
if	strvar.locateby(ordercode, target, out setting, fieldno, valueno = 0)	locateby() ordered as above but in fields if fieldno is 0, or values in a specific fieldno, or subvalues in a specific valueno. var setting; if ("f1^f2^aaa]bbb]ccc^f4"_var.locateby("AL", "bb", setting, 3)) ... // returns false and setting = 2 where it could be correctly inserted.
if	strvar.locateusing(usingchar, target)	locate() a target substr in the whole unordered string using a given delimiter char returning true if found. if ("AB,EF,CD"_var.locateusing(",", "EF")) ... // true
if	strvar.locateusing(usingchar, target, out setting, fieldno = 0, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	locate() the target in a specific field, value or subvalue using a specified delimiter and unordered data Returns: True If found and returns in setting the number of the delimited field found. Returns: False if not found and returns in setting the maximum number of delimited fields + 1 if not found. This is similar to the main locate command but the delimiter char can be specified e.g. a comma or TM etc. var setting; if ("f1^f2^f3c1,f3c2,f3c3^f4"_var.locateusing(",", "f3c2", setting, 3)) ... // returns true and setting = 2
if	strvar.locatebyusing(ordercode, usingchar, target, out setting, fieldno = 0, valueno = 0, subvalueno = 0)	locatebyusing() supports all the above features in a single function. Returns: True if found.

Database Access

Usage	Function	Description
if	conn.connect(conninfo = "")	For all db operations, the operative var can either be a db connection created with dbconnect() or be any var and a default connection will be established on the fly. The db connection string (conninfo) parameters are merged from the following places in descending priority. 1. Provided in connect()'s conninfo argument. See 4. for the complete list of parameters. 2. Any environment variables EXO_HOST EXO_PORT EXO_USER EXO_DATA EXO_PASS EXO_TIME 3. Any parameters found in a configuration file at ~/.config/exodus/exodus.cfg 4. The default conninfo is "host=127.0.0.1 port=5432 dbname=exodus user=exodus password=somesillysecret connect_timeout=10" Setting environment variable EXO_DBTRACE=1 will cause tracing of db interface including SQL commands. let conninfo = "dbname=exodus user=exodus password=somesillysecret"; var db; if (not db.connect(conninfo)) abort(lasterror()); db.disconnect(); // or if (not connect("exodus")) ... // or if (not connect()) ... disconnect();
cmd	conn.disconnect()	Closes db connection and frees process resources both locally and in the database server. conn.disconnect(); // or disconnect();
cmd	conn.disconnectall()	Closes all connections and frees process resources both locally and in the database server(s). All connections are closed automatically when a process terminates. conn.disconnectall(); // or disconnectall();
if	conn.attach(filenames)	Attach (connect) specific files by name to specific connections. It is not necessary to attach files before opening them. Attach is meant to control the defaults. For the remainder of the session, opening the file by name without specifying a connection will automatically use the specified connection applies during the attach command. If conn is not specified then filename will be attached to the default connection. Multiple file names must be separated by FM let filenames = "definitions^dict.definitions"_var, conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.attach(filenames)) ... // or if (not attach(filenames)) ...
cmd	conn.detach(filenames)	Detach (disconnect) files that have been attached using attach().
if	conn.begintrans()	Begin a db transaction. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.begintrans()) ... // or if (not begintrans()) ...
if	conn.rollbacktrans()	Rollback a db transaction. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.rollbacktrans()) ... // or if (not rollbacktrans()) ...
if	conn.committrans()	Commit a db transaction. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.committrans()) ... // or if (not committrans()) ...
if	conn.statustrans()	Check if a db transaction is in progress. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.statustrans()) ... // or if (not statustrans()) ...
if	conn.sqlexec(sqlcmd)	Execute an sql command. var sqlcmd = "select 2 + 2;", response, conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.sqlexec("select 2 + 2;")) ... // True // or if (not sqlexec(sqlcmd)) ...
if	conn.sqlexec(sqlcmd, io response)	Execute an SQL command and capture the response. var sqlcmd = "select 2 + 2;", response, conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.sqlexec(sqlcmd, response)) ... // True and response = 4 // or if (not sqlexec(sqlcmd, response)) ...
var=	conn.lasterror()	Get the last os or db error message.
var=	conn.loglasterror(source = "")	Log the last os or db error message.

Database Management

Usage	Function	Description
if	conn.dbcreate(new_dbname, old_dbname = "")	Create a named database on a particular connection. The target database cannot already exist. Optionally copies an existing database from the same connection and which cannot have any current connections. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.dbcreate("mydb")) ... // or if (not dbcreate("mydb")) ...
if	conn.dbcopy(from_dbname, to_dbname)	Create a named database as a copy of an existing database. The target database cannot already exist. The source database must exist on the same connection and cannot have any current connections. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.dbcopy("mydb", "mydb2")) ... // or if (not dbcopy("mydb", "mydb2")) ...
if	conn.dbdelete(dbname)	Delete (drop) a named database. The target database must exist and cannot have any current connections. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.dbdelete("mydb")) ... // or if (not dbdelete("mydb")) ...
var=	conn.dblist()	Returns: A list of available databases on a particular connection. let v1 = conn.dblist(); // or let v2 = dblist();
if	conn.createfile(filename)	Create a named db file. let filename = "gendoc_temp", conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.createfile(filename)) ... // or if (not createfile(filename)) ...
if	conn.renamefile(filename, newfilename)	Rename a db file. let conn = "exodus", filename = "gendoc_temp", new_filename = "gendoc_temp2"; if (not conn.renamefile(filename, new_filename)) ... // or if (not renamefile(filename, new_filename)) ...
var=	conn.listfiles()	Returns: A list of all files in a database var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.listfiles()) ... // or if (not listfiles()) ...
if	conn.clearfile(filename)	Delete all records in a db file let conn = "exodus", filename = "gendoc_temp2"; if (not conn.clearfile(filename)) ... // or if (not clearfile(filename)) ...
if	conn.deletefile(filename)	Delete a db file let conn = "exodus", filename = "gendoc_temp2"; if (not conn.deletefile(filename)) ... // or if (not deletefile(filename)) ...
var=	conn_or_file.reccount(filename = "")	Returns: The approx. number of records in a file let conn = "exodus", filename = "definitions"; var nrecs1 = conn.reccount(filename); // or var nrecs2 = reccount(filename);
if	conn_or_file.flushindex(filename = "")	Calls db maintenance function (vacuum) This doesnt actually flush any indexes but does make sure that reccount() function is reasonably accurate.

Database File I/O

Usage	Function	Description
if	file.open(dbfilename, connection = "")	Opens database file to a var which can be used in subsequent functions to work on the specified file and database connection. var file, filename = "definitions"; if (not file.open(filename)) ... // or if (not open(filename to file)) ...
cmd	file.close()	Closes database file var Does nothing currently since database file vars consume no resources var file = "definitions"; file.close(); // or close(file);
if	file.createindex(fieldname, dictfile = "")	Creates a secondary index for a given file and field name. The fieldname must exist in a dictionary file. The default dictionary is "dict." ^ filename. Returns: False if the index cannot be created for any reason. Index already exists File does not exist The dictionary file does not have a record with a key of the given field name. The dictionary file does not exist. Default is "dict." ^ filename. The dictionary field defines a calculated field that uses an exodus function. Using a psql function is OK. var filename = "definitions", fieldname = "DATE_TIME"; if (not filename.createindex(fieldname)) ... // or if (not createindex(filename, fieldname)) ...
if	file.deleteindex(fieldname)	Deletes a secondary index for a file and field name. Returns: False if the index cannot be deleted for any reason File does not exist Index does not already exists var file = "definitions", fieldname = "DATE_TIME"; if (not file.deleteindex(fieldname)) ... // or if (not deleteindex(file, fieldname)) ...
var=	conn.listindex(file_or_filename = "", fieldname = "")	Lists secondary indexes in a database or file Returns: False if the file or fieldname are given and do not exist var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.listindex()) ... // or if (not listindex()) ...
var=	file.lock(key)	Places a metaphorical lock on a particular file and key in a database. This is a advisory lock, not a physical lock, since it makes no restriction on the access or modification of data by other connections. Neither the file nor the record key need to actually exist since a lock is just a hash of the filename and key combined. If another connection attempts to place an identical lock on the same database it will be denied. Locks can be removed by unlock() or unlockall() or will be automatically removed at the end of a transaction or when the connection is closed. If the same process attempts to place an identical lock more than once it may be denied (if not in a transaction) or succeed but be ignored (if in a transaction). Locks can be used to avoid processing a transaction simultaneously with another connection only to have one of them fail due to mutually updating the same records. Returns:: 0: Failure: Another connection has already placed the same lock. "" Failure: The lock has already been placed. 1: Success: A new lock has been placed. 2: Success: The lock has already been placed and the connection is in a transaction. var file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not file.lock(key)) ... // or if (not lock(file, key)) ...
if	file.unlock(key)	Removes a lock placed by the lock function. Only locks placed on the specified connection can be removed. Locks cannot be removed while a connection is in a transaction. Returns: False if the lock is not present in a connection. var file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not file.unlock(key)) ... // or if (not unlock(file, key)) ...
if	file.unlockall()	Removes all locks placed by the lock function in the specified connection. Locks cannot be removed while in a transaction. var conn = "exodus"; if (not conn.unlockall()) ... // or if (not unlockall(conn)) ...
if	rec.read(file, key)	Reads a record from a file given its unique primary key. Returns: False if the key doesnt exist var rec, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not rec.read(file, key)) ... // or if (not read(rec from file, key)) ...
cmd	rec.write(file, key)	Writes a record to a file. Updates an existing record if the key already exists or inserts a new record. It always succeeds so no result code is returned. Any memory cached record is deleted. var rec = "f1^f2^f3"_var, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; rec.write(file, key); // or write(rec on file, key);
if	rec.updaterecord(file, key)	Updates an existing record in a file. Returns: False if the key doesnt already exist Any memory cached record is deleted. var rec = "f1^f2^f3"_var, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not rec.updaterecord(file, key)) ... // or if (not updaterecord(rec on file, key)) ...
if	rec.insertrecord(file, key)	Inserts a new record in a file. Returns: False if the key already exists Any memory cached record is deleted. var rec = "f1^f2^f3"_var, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not rec.insertrecord(file, key)) ... // or if (not insertrecord(rec on file, key)) ...
if	file.deleterecord(key)	Deletes a record from a file given its key. Returns: False if the key doesnt exist Any memory cached record is deleted. var file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not file.deleterecord(key)) ... // or if (not deleterecord(file, key)) ...
if	strvar.readf(file, key, fieldno)	Same as read() but only returns a specific field no from the record var field, file = "definitions", key = "1000", fieldno = 3; if (not field.readf(file, key, fieldno)) ... // or if (not readf(field from file, key, fieldno)) ...
cmd	strvar.writef(file, key, fieldno)	Same as write() but only writes a specific field no to the record var field = "f3", file = "definitions", key = "1000", fieldno = 3; field.writef(file, key, fieldno); // or writef(field on file, key, fieldno);
if	rec.readc(file, key)	Cache read a record from a memory cache "file" given its key. 1. Tries to read from a memory cache and returns true if successful. 2. Reads to read from the actual file and returns false if unsuccessful. 3. Writes the record and key to the memory cache and returns true. Cached db file data lives in exodus process memory not the database. var rec, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not rec.readc(file, key)) ... // or if (not readc(rec from file, key)) ...
cmd	rec.writec(file, key)	Cache write a record and key into a memory cached "file". The actual file is NOT updated. It either updates an existing record if the key already exists or otherwise inserts a new record. It always succeeds so no result code is returned. var rec = "f1^f2^f3"_var, file = "definitions", key = "1000"; rec.writec(file, key); // or writec(rec on file, key);
if	dbfile.deletec(key)	Deletes a record and key from a memory cached "file". The actual file is NOT updated. Returns: False if the key doesnt exist var file = "definitions", key = "1000"; if (not file.deletec(key)) ... // or if (not deletec(file, key)) ...
cmd	conn.cleardbcache()	Clears the memory cache of all records for the given connection All future cache readc() function calls will be forced to obtain records from the actual database and refresh the cache. conn.cleardbcache(); // or cleardbcache(conn);
var=	strvar.xlate(filename, fieldno, mode)	The xlate ("translate") function is similar to readf() but, when called as an exodus program member function, it can be used efficiently with exodus file dictionaries using column names and functions and multivalued data. Arguments: str: Used as the primary key to lookup a field in a given file and field no or field name. filename: The file in which to look up data. If var key is multivalued then a multivalued field is returned. fieldno: Determines which field of the record is returned. Integer returns that field number 0 means return the key unchanged. "" means return the whole record. mode: Determines what is returned if the record does not exist for the given key and file. "X" returns "" "C" returns the key unconverted. let key = "SB001"; let client_name = key.xlate("xo_clients", 1, "X"); assert(client_name == "Client AAA"); // or let name_and_type = xlate("xo_clients", key, "NAME_AND_TYPE", "X"); assert("Client AAA (A)");

Database Sort/Select

Usage	Function	Description
if	file.select(sortselectclause = "")
cmd	file.clearselect()
if	file.hasnext()
if	file.readnext(out key)
if	file.readnext(out key, out valueno)
if	file.readnext(out record, out key, out valueno)
if	file.savelist(listname)
if	file.getlist(listname)
if	file.makelist(listname, keys)
if	file.deletelist(listname)
if	file.formlist(keys, fieldno = 0)

OS Time/Date

Usage	Function	Description
var=	var().date()	Number of whole days since pick epoch 1967-12-31 00:00:00 UTC. Negative for dates before. var today1 = var().date(); // e.g. was 20821 from 2025-01-01 00:00:00 UTC // or var today2 = date();
var=	var().time()	Number of whole seconds since last 00:00:00 (UTC). var now1 = var().time(); // range 0 - 86399 since there are 24*60*60 (86400) seconds in a day. // or var now2 = time();
var=	var().ostime()	Number of fractional seconds since last 00:00:00 (UTC). A floating point with approx. nanosecond resolution depending on hardware. var now1 = var().ostime(); // e.g. 23343.704387955 approx. 06:29:03 UTC // or var now2 = ostime();
var=	var().timestamp()	Number of fractional days since pick epoch 1967-12-31 00:00:00 UTC. Negative for dates before. A floating point with approx. nanosecond resolution depending on hardware. var now1 = var().timestamp(); // was 20821.99998842593 around 2025-01-01 23:59:59 UTC // or var now2 = timestamp();
var=	var().timestamp(ostime)	Construct a timestamp from a date and time var idate = iconv("2025-01-01", "D"), itime = iconv("23:59:59", "MT"); var ts1 = idate.timestamp(itime); // 20821.99998842593 // or var ts2 = timestamp(idate, itime);
cmd	var().ossleep(milliseconds)	Sleep/pause/wait for a number of milliseconds var().ossleep(500); // sleep for 500ms // or ossleep(500);
var=	file_dir_list.oswait(milliseconds)	Sleep/pause/wait up to a given number of milliseconds or until any changes occur in an FM delimited list of directories and/or files. Any terminal input (e.g. a key press) will also terminate the wait. An FM array of event information is returned. See below. Multiple events are returned in multivalues. let v1 = ".^/etc/hosts"_var.oswait(500); // e.g. "IN_CLOSE_WRITE^/etc^hosts^f"_var // or let v2 = oswait(".^/etc/hosts"_var, 500); Returned array fields 1. Event type codes 2. dirpaths 3. filenames 4. d=dir, f=file Possible event type codes are as follows: IN_CLOSE_WRITE - A file opened for writing was closed IN_ACCESS - Data was read from file IN_MODIFY - Data was written to file IN_ATTRIB - File attributes changed IN_CLOSE - File was closed (read or write) IN_MOVED_FROM - File was moved away from watched directory IN_MOVED_TO - File was moved into watched directory IN_MOVE - File was moved (in or out of directory) IN_CREATE - A file was created in the directory IN_DELETE - A file was deleted from the directory IN_DELETE_SELF - Directory or file under observation was deleted IN_MOVE_SELF - Directory or file under observation was moved

OS File I/O

Usage	Function	Description
if	osfilevar.osopen(osfilename, utf8 = true)	Given the name of an existing file name including path, initialises a file handle var that can be used in random access osbread and osbwrite functions. The utf8 option defaults to true which causes trimming of partial utf-8 unicode byte sequences from the end of osbreads. For raw untrimmed osbreads pass utf8 = false; File will be opened for writing if possible otherwise for reading. Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. Target doesnt exist, permissions etc. var hostsfile; if (not hostsfile.osopen("/etc/hosts")) ... // or if (not osopen("/etc/hosts" to hostsfile)) ...
if	osfilevar.osbread(osfilevar, io offset, length)	Reads length bytes from an existing os file starting at a given byte offset (0 based). The osfilevar file handle may either be initialised by osopen or be just be a normal string variable holding the path and name of the os file. After reading, the offset is updated to point to the correct offset for a subsequent sequential read. If reading utf8 data (the default) then the length of data actually returned may be a few bytes shorter than requested in order to be a complete number of UTF-8 code points. let hostsfile = "/etc/hosts"; var text, offset = 0; if (not text.osbread(hostsfile, offset, 1024)) ... // or if (not osbread(text from hostsfile, offset, 1024)) ...
if	osfilevar.osbwrite(osfilevar, io offset)	Writes data to an existing os file starting at a given byte offset (0 based). See osbread for more info. let text = "\n#comment", tempfilename = ostempfilename(); var offset = osfile(tempfilename).f(1); // size of file -> append if (not text.osbwrite(tempfilename, offset)) abort(lasterror()); // offset -> 9 // or if (not osbwrite(text on tempfilename, offset)) ...
cmd	osfilevar.osclose()	Removes an osfilevar handle from the internal memory cache of os file handles. This frees up both exodus process memory and operating system resources. It is advisable to osclose any file handles after use, regardless of whether they were specifically opened using osopen or not, especially in long running programs. Exodus performs caching of internal os file handles per thread and os file. If not closed, then the operating system will probably not flush deleted files from storage until the process is terminated. This can potentially create an memory issue or file system resource issue especially if osopening/osreading/oswriting many perhaps temporary files in a long running process. if (not osfilevar.open("/etc/hosts")) ... osfilevar.osclose(); // or osclose(osfilevar);
if	strvar.osread(osfilename, codepage = "")	Read a complete os file into a var. If codepage is specified then input is converted from that codepage to utf-8 otherwise no conversion is done. Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. File doesnt exist, permissions etc. var text; if (not text.osread("/etc/hosts")) ... // or if (not osread(text from "/etc/hosts")) ...
if	strvar.oswrite(osfilename, codepage = "")	Create a complete os file from a var. Any existing file is removed first. Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. Path is not writeable, permissions etc. If codepage is specified then output is converted from utf-8 to that codepage. Otherwise no conversion is done. let text = "aaa = 123\nbbb = 234"; let osfilename = ostempdirpath() ^ "xo.conf"; if (not text.oswrite(osfilename)) abort(lasterror()); // or if (not oswrite(text on osfilename)) ...
if	osfilename.osremove()	Removes/deletes an os file from the OS file system given path and name. Will not remove directories. Use osrmdir() to remove directories Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. Target doesnt exist, path is not writeable, permissions etc. let osfilename = ostempfilename(); if (not osfilename.osremove()) abort(lasterror()); // or if (not osremove(osfilename)) ...
if	osfileordirname.osrename(new_dirpath_or_filepath)	Renames an os file or dir in the OS file system. Will not overwrite an existing file or dir. Source and target must exist in the same storage device. Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. Target already exists, path is not writeable, permissions etc. Uses std::filesystem::rename internally. let osfilename = ostempfilename(); if (not osfilename.osrename(osfilename ^ ".bak")) abort(lasterror()); // or if (not osrename(osfilename, osfilename ^ ".bak")) ...
if	osfileordirname.oscopy(to_osfilename)	Copies a file or directory recursively within the file system. Uses std::filesystem::copy internally with recursive and overwrite options let osfilename = ostempfilename(); if (not osfilename.oscopy(osfilename ^ ".bak")) abort(lasterror()); // or if (not oscopy(osfilename, osfilename ^ ".bak")) ...
if	osfileordirname.osmove(to_osfilename)	"Moves" a file or dir within the os file system. Will not overwrite an existing file or dir. Returns: True if successful or false if not possible for any reason. e.g. Source doesnt exist or cannot be accessed, target already exists, source or target is not writeable, permissions etc. Attempts osrename first then oscopy followed by osremove original. let osfilename = ostempfilename(); if (not osfilename.osmove(osfilename ^ ".bak")) abort(lasterror()); // or if (not osmove(osfilename, osfilename ^ ".bak")) ...

OS Directories

Usage	Function	Description
var=	dirpath.oslist(globpattern = "", mode = 0)	Returns: A FM delimited string containing all matching dir entries given a dir path A glob pattern (e.g. *.conf) can be appended to the path or passed as argument. var entries1 = "/etc/"_var.oslist("*.cfg"); // "adduser.conf^ca-certificates.conf^ ..." // or var entries2 = oslist("/etc/" "*.conf");
var=	dirpath.oslistf(globpattern = "")	Same as oslist for files only
var=	dirpath.oslistd(globpattern = "")	Same as oslist for files only
var=	osfileordirpath.osinfo(mode = 0)	Returns: Dir info for any dir entry or "" if it doesnt exist A short string containing size ^ FM ^ modified_time ^ FM ^ modified_time mode 0 default mode 1 returns "" if not a file mode 2 returns "" if not a dir See also osfile() and osdir() var info1 = "/etc/hosts"_var.osinfo(); // "221^20597^78309" // or var info2 = osinfo("/etc/hosts");
var=	osfilename.osfile()	Returns: Dir info for a file A short string containing size ^ FM ^ modified_time ^ FM ^ modified_time Alias for osinfo(1) var fileinfo1 = "/etc/hosts"_var.osfile(); // "221^20597^78309" // or var fileinfo2 = osfile("/etc/hosts");
var=	dirpath.osdir()	Returns: Dir info for a dir. A short string containing FM ^ modified_time ^ FM ^ modified_time Alias for osinfo(2) var dirinfo1 = "/etc/"_var.osdir(); // "^20848^44464" // or var dirinfo2 = osfile("/etc/");
if	dirpath.osmkdir()	Makes a new directory and returns true if successful. Including parent dirs if necessary. if (not "abc/def"_var.osmkdir()) ... // or if (not osmkdir("abc/def")) ...
if	dirpath.osrmdir(evenifnotempty = false)	Removes a os dir and returns true if successful. Optionally even if not empty. Including subdirs. if (not "abc/def"_var.osrmdir()) ... // or if (not osrmdir("abc/def")) ...
var=	var().oscwd()	Returns: The current working directory var cwd1 = var().oscwd(); // "/home/exodus" // or var cwd2 = oscwd();
if	var().oscwd(newpath)	Changes the current working dir and returns true if successful. if (not "abc/def"_var.oscwd()) ... // or if (not oscwd("abc/def")) ...

OS Shell/Environment

Usage	Function	Description
if	command.osshell()	Execute a shell command Returns: True if the process terminates with error status 0 and false otherwise. let cmd = "ls -l xyz"; if (not cmd.osshell()) ... // or if (not osshell(cmd)) ...
if	instr.osshellread(oscmd)	Same as osshell but captures stdout var text; if (not text.osshellread("ls -l")) ... // or capturing stdout but ignoring exit status text = osshellread("ls -l");
if	outstr.osshellwrite(oscmd)	Same as osshell but provides stdin to the process let text = "abc xyz"; if (not text.osshellwrite("grep xyz")) ... // or if (not osshellwrite(text, "grep xyz")) ...
var=	var().ostempdirpath()	Get the path of the tmp dir let v1 = var().ostempdirpath(); // e.g. "/tmp/" // or let v2 = ostempdirpath();
var=	var().ostempfilename()	Create and get a temporary file var tempfilename1 = var().ostempfilename(); // "/tmp/~exoEcLj3C" // or var tempfilename2 = ostempfilename();
cmd	envvalue.ossetenv(envcode)	Set the value of an environment variable code let envcode = "EXO_ABC", envvalue = "XYZ"; envvalue.ossetenv(envcode); // or ossetenv(envcode, envvalue);
if	envvalue.osgetenv(envcode)	Get the value of an environment variable var envvalue1; if (not envvalue1.osgetenv("HOME")) ... // e.g. "/home/exodus" // or var envvalue2 = osgetenv("EXO_ABC"); // "XYZ"
var=	var().ospid()	Get the os process id let pid1 = var().ospid(); // 663237 // or let pid2 = ospid();
var=	var().ostid()	Get the os thread process id let tid1 = var().ostid(); // 663237 // or let tid2 = ostid();
var=	var().version()	Get the libexodus build date and time let v1 = var().version(); // "29 JAN 2025 14:56:52"

Output

Usage	Function	Description
expr	var.output()	To stdout. No new line. Buffered.
expr	var.outputl()	To stdout. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.outputt()	To stdout. Adds a tab. Buffered.
expr	var.logput()	To stdlog. No new line. Buffered.
expr	var.logputl()	To stdlog. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.errput()	To stderr. No new line. Flushed.
expr	var.errputl()	To stderr. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.output(prefix)	To stdout. With a prefix. No new line. Buffered.
expr	var.outputl(prefix)	To stdout. With a prefix. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.outputt(prefix)	To stdout. With a prefix. Adds a tab. Buffered.
expr	var.logput(prefix)	To stdlog. With a prefix. No new line. Buffered.
expr	var.logputl(prefix)	To stdlog. With a prefix. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.errput(prefix)	To stderr. With a prefix. No new line. Flushed.
expr	var.errputl(prefix)	To stderr. With a prefix. Starts a new line. Flushed.
expr	var.put(std::ostream& ostream1)	Output to a given stream
cmd	var().osflush()	Flushes any Buffered. output to stdout/cout var().osflush(); // or osflush();

Standard Input

Usage	Function	Description
expr	var.input()	Wait for stdin until cr or eof
expr	var.input(prompt)	Ditto after outputting prompt to stdout
expr	var.inputn(nchars)	Wait for nbytes from stdin
if	var.isterminal()	true if terminal is available
if	var.hasinput(milliseconds = 0)	true if stdin bytes available within milliseconds
if	var.eof()	true if stdin is at end of file
if	var.echo(on_off)	Reflect all stdin to stdout if terminal available
cmd	var.breakon()	Allow interrupt Ctrl+C
cmd	var.breakoff()	Prevent interrupt Ctr+C