# Data Transfer I/O Statements

Input/Output (I/O) statements can be used for data transfer, file connection, file inquiry, and file positioning.

This section discusses data transfer and contains information on the following topics:

- An overview of records and files

- Components of data transfer statements

- Data transfer input statements:

  - READ

    Data can be input from external sequential or direct-access records, or from internal records.

  - ACCEPT

    This statement is the same as a formatted, sequential READ statement, except that an ACCEPT statement must never be connected to user-specified I/O units.

- Data transfer output statements:

  - WRITE

    Data can be output to external sequential or direct-access records, or to internal records.

  - PRINT and TYPE

    The PRINT statement is the same as a formatted, sequential WRITE statement, except that the PRINT statement must never transfer data to user-specified I/O units.

    TYPE is a synonym for PRINT. All forms and rules for the PRINT statement also apply to the TYPE statement.

  - REWRITE

    It rewrites the current record and it can be formatted or unformatted.

File connection, file inquiry, and file positioning I/O statements are discussed in File Operation I O Statements.

Parent topic: Language Reference

- Records and Files
- Components of Data Transfer Statements
- Forms for READ Statements
- Forms for WRITE Statements
- User-Defined Derived-Type I/O