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Read and write strings as files</TITLE>
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Read and write strings as files">
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<H1><A NAME="SECTION006600000000000000000">
4.6 <tt class=module>StringIO</tt> --
         Read and write strings as files</A>
</H1>

<P>


<P>
This module implements a file-like class, <tt class=class>StringIO</tt>,
that reads and writes a string buffer (also known as <i>memory
files</i>). See the description on file objects for operations (section
<A HREF="bltin-file-objects.html#bltin-file-objects">2.1</A>).

<P>
<dl><dt><b><a name="l2h-704"><tt class=class>StringIO</tt></a></b> (<big>[</big><var>buffer</var><big>]</big>)
<dd>
When a <tt class=class>StringIO</tt> object is created, it can be initialized
to an existing string by passing the string to the constructor.
If no string is given, the <tt class=class>StringIO</tt> will start empty.
</dl>

<P>
The following methods of <tt class=class>StringIO</tt> objects require special
mention:

<P>
<dl><dt><b><a name="l2h-705"><tt class=method>getvalue</tt></a></b> ()
<dd>
Retrieve the entire contents of the ``file'' at any time before the
<tt class=class>StringIO</tt> object's <tt class=method>close()</tt> method is called.
</dl>

<P>
<dl><dt><b><a name="l2h-706"><tt class=method>close</tt></a></b> ()
<dd>
Free the memory buffer.
</dl>

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