

   RReeaadd DDaattaa VVaalluueess

        scan(file="", what=numeric(), nmax=0, sep="",
                skip=0, nlines=0)

   AArrgguummeennttss::

       file: the name of a file to read data values from.  If
             the specified file is `""', then input is taken
             from the keyboard (in this case input can be ter-
             minated by a blank line).

       what: the type of `what' gives the type of data to be
             read.  If `what' is a list it is assumed that the
             lines of the data file are records which each con-
             tain `length(what)' items.

       nmax: the maximum number of data values to be read, or
             if `what' is a list, the maximum number of records
             to be read.

        sep: by default, scan expects to read white-space
             delimited input fields.  Alternatively, `sep' can
             be used to specify a character which delimits
             fields.

       skip: this many lines of the input file should be
             skipped before starting to read data values.

     nlines: the maximum number of lines of data to be read.

   DDeessccrriippttiioonn::

        The value of `what' can be a list of types, in which
        case `scan' returns a list of vectors with the types
        given by the types of the elements in `what'.  This
        provides a way of reading columnar data.

        Keyboard entry is terminated by typing a blank line.

   SSeeee AAllssoo::

        `read.table' for more user-friendly reading of data
        matrices.  `write'.

   EExxaammpplleess::

        system("echo 'TITEL extra line' > ex.data")
        system("echo 2 3 5 7 >> ex.data")
        system("echo 11 13 17 >> ex.data")
        scan("ex.data", skip = 1)

