# Sequential Files

> [HTML Version](sequentialfiles.htm)

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Sequential file (aka stream) notes: 

•	Typically text-oriented, but may consist of raw binary data as well.

•	Byte, field, or line-oriented.

•	May contain variable length fields and lines, or simply be a stream of bytes.

•	Open for input or output, but not both at the same time, except for the terminal.

•	The terminal screen and keyboard are two special sequential files, implicitly opened for input and output, respectively, on channel #0.

•	Record locking not supported.

•	Serial ports may be accessed as sequential files.

•	TCP sockets may be also be accessed as sequential files; see [MX\_FILESOCK](mx_filesock.md).

•	Output files grow automatically via PRINT.

•	Access is by default sequential but 'cursor' can be repositioned using [MX\_FILEPOS](mx_filepos.md)

**Subtopics**

- [OPEN](opensequential.md)

- [INPUT](input_seq.md)

- [PRINT](printstatement.md)

- [WRITECD](writecd.md)