explaining FilePut method

Question

I am using this method(): Microsoft.VisualBasic.FileSystem.FilePut(file_num, "aaa",-1)
and would like to know what '-1' can mean.
MSDN writes it is "record number (Random mode files) or byte number (Binary mode files) at which writing starts". It does not make sense as there is no -1 record.
However, the code snippet works fine.

Vulpes · Answer

That's right Tamas. Here's a VB example I found on MSDN which makes the use of -1 clear though for FileGet rather than FilePut: FileOpen(1 TESTFILE OpenMode.Random) Do While Not EOF(1) WriteLine(1 Seek(1)) ' Write record number. FileGet(1 MyRecord -1) ' Read next record. Loop FileClose(1)

Tamas Szigeti · Answer

Thanks Volpes! If I understood it correctly the third parameter refers to whether the next record should be written or shouldn't. If the param is -1 or void the next record shall be written.

Vulpes · Answer

The third parameter RecordNumber to the FilePut method is optional and has a default value of -1. If you pass -1 or omit it altogether this means that the next record or byte after the last FileGet or FilePut function or pointed to by the last Seek function will be written to. If these functions haven't been previously used then the first record or byte in the file will be written to.