To better understand stream files, it is useful to compare them with iSeries database files.
On the integrated file system, a stream is simply a continuous string of characters. A database file is record arranged; It has predefined subdivisions consisting of one or more fields that have specific characteristics, such as length and data type.
Figure 105. Comparison of a Stream File and a Record-Oriented File
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Default C/C++ stream I/O on the iSeries systems is simulated on top of an iSeries database file. Figure 106 illustrates how an iSeries record is mapped to a C/C++ stream. This is simulated stream file processing with iSeries records.
Figure 106. iSeries Records Mapping to a C/C++ Stream File
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The differences in structure of stream files and record-oriented files affect how an application is written to interact with them and which type of file is best suited to an application.
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