pen

n 1: a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

2: an enclosure for confining livestock

3: a portable enclosure in which babies may be left to play

[syn: {playpen}]

4: a correctional institution for those convicted of major

crimes [syn: {penitentiary}]

5: female swan

v : produce a literary work; "She composed a poem"; "He wrote

four novels" [syn: {write}, {compose}, {indite}]

open

1. To prepare to read or write a file. This usually involves

checking whether the file already exists and that the user has

the necessary authorisation to read or write it. The result

of a successful open is usually some kind of {capability}

(e.g. a {Unix} {file descriptor}) - a token that the user

passes back to the system in order to access the file without

further checks and finally to close the file.

2. Abbreviation for "open (or left) parenthesis" - used when

necessary to eliminate oral ambiguity. To read aloud the LISP

form (DEFUN FOO (X) (PLUS X 1)) one might say: "Open defun

foo, open eks close, open, plus eks one, close close."

3. Non-proprietary. An open {standard} is one which can be

used without payment.

[{Jargon File}]

(1995-01-31)