EOF(3const) — Linux manual page

EOF(3const)                                                  EOF(3const)

NAME

       EOF - end of file or error indicator

LIBRARY

       Standard C library (libc)

SYNOPSIS

       #include <stdio.h>

       #define EOF  /* ... */

DESCRIPTION

       EOF represents the end of an input file, or an error indication.
       It is a negative value, of type int.

       EOF is not a character (it can't be represented by unsigned
       char).  It is instead a sentinel value outside of the valid range
       for valid characters.

STANDARDS

       C11, POSIX.1-2008.

HISTORY

       C89, POSIX.1-2001.

CAVEATS

       Programs can't pass this value to an output function to "write"
       the end of a file.  That would likely result in undefined
       behavior.  Instead, closing the writing stream or file descriptor
       that refers to such file is the way to signal the end of that
       file.

SEE ALSO

       feof(3), fgetc(3)

COLOPHON

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Linux man-pages 6.9.1          2024-05-26                    EOF(3const)