lines

           +-Count--+
>>-lines(--+--------+---)--------------------------------------><
           +-Normal-+

Returns the number of completed lines that available for input. If the stream has already been read with [charIn]. this can include an initial partial line. For persistent streams the count starts at the current read position. In effect, [lines] reports whether a read action of charIn (see ) or lineIn (see ) will succeed. (For an explanation of input and output, see .)

For a Queue, [lines] returns the actual number of lines.

Note

The [chars] method returns the number of characters in a persistent stream or the presence of data in a transient stream. The [lines]emphasis method determines the actual number of lines by scanning the stream starting at the current position and counting the lines. For large streams, this can be a time-consuming operation. Therefore, avoid the use of the LINES method in the condition of a loop reading a stream. It is recommended that you use the [chars] method ().

The ANSI Standard has extended this function to allow an option: "Count". If this option is used, [lines] returns the actual number of complete lines remaining in the stream, irrespective of how long this operation takes.

The option "Normal" returns 1 if there is at least one complete line remaining in the file or 0 if no lines remain.

The default is "Count".