TextStream is VBScript’s sequential text-file interface. A FileSystemObject creates or opens the stream; the TextStream object then reads, writes, moves through, and closes the file. Use ReadLine for line-by-line work, Read for a specific character count, and ReadAll when loading the complete file is appropriate.
What the TextStream object does
Microsoft defines TextStream as an object that “facilitates sequential access to file.” Sequential means the stream has a current position, or pointer, and operations consume or add content at that position. It is designed for text processing rather than random-access byte operations.
You normally obtain a TextStream from a Scripting.FileSystemObject call such as CreateTextFile or OpenTextFile. The FileSystemObject handles creation or opening; TextStream supplies the actual read, write, position, and close operations.
Creating and writing a text file
Microsoft’s documented write pattern creates the FileSystemObject, obtains a writable TextStream, writes a line, and closes it:
Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set a = fs.CreateTextFile("c:testfile.txt", True)
a.WriteLine("This is a test.")
a.CloseThe True argument allows an existing file to be overwritten. WriteLine writes the supplied text and adds a newline. Calling Close ends the stream when the work is complete.
Write, WriteLine, and WriteBlankLines
| Method | Effect | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
Write(text) |
Writes text without adding a line ending. | You are assembling a line or controlling separators yourself. |
WriteLine(text) |
Writes text followed by a newline. | Each call represents one complete output line. |
WriteBlankLines(n) |
Writes the requested number of newline characters. | You need blank lines or deliberate vertical spacing. |
Reading a file line by line
For log files, configuration records, and other line-oriented input, open a TextStream and continue until AtEndOfStream becomes true:
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Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set input = fs.OpenTextFile("c:input.txt")
Do Until input.AtEndOfStream
line = input.ReadLine
WScript.Echo line
Loop
input.CloseReadLine advances the current position by one line. Testing AtEndOfStream in the loop condition prevents a read after the end of the file. Close the stream after the loop, including in longer scripts where error handling may also be needed.
Choosing Read, ReadLine, or ReadAll
| Method | What it returns | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
Read(n) |
A specified number of characters. | Character-count processing or fixed-size chunks. | You must decide how many characters to request and manage the pointer yourself. |
ReadLine |
The next line. | Records, logs, and other line-oriented formats. | It follows line boundaries rather than a requested character count. |
ReadAll |
The entire remaining file content. | Small files that can be processed as one string. | Whole-file loading uses more memory than incremental reading. |
The practical decision is incremental versus whole-file processing: use ReadLine or Read when you want to process input as it arrives, and reserve ReadAll for files whose complete contents can be loaded comfortably.
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Moving through the stream
Skip characters
Skip(n) advances the pointer past a specified number of characters without returning them. This is useful when a known prefix or fixed-width portion is not needed.
Skip a line
SkipLine advances past the next line without returning its text. It is useful for discarding headers or records that do not need processing.
These operations are still sequential: they move forward from the current pointer rather than jumping to an arbitrary byte offset.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Checking position with TextStream properties
| Property | Meaning |
|---|---|
AtEndOfStream |
True when the pointer is at the end of the file. Use it to control read loops. |
AtEndOfLine |
True when the pointer is immediately before the end-of-line marker. |
Column |
The current character column. |
Line |
The current line number. |
For ordinary line-by-line reading, AtEndOfStream is the key guard. Line and Column can help report or inspect the current position while processing input.
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Closing a TextStream correctly
Call Close after reading or writing:
stream.CloseClosing releases the open file handle and marks the end of the stream session. A typical script closes immediately after its final operation, as in the Microsoft creation example. Do not leave a stream open while continuing unrelated work.
Common patterns at a glance
- Create and write:
CreateTextFile, thenWriteorWriteLine, thenClose. - Read each record:
OpenTextFile, loop whileNot AtEndOfStream, callReadLine, thenClose. - Read a fixed amount: call
Read(n)and account for the pointer moving forward. - Read everything: call
ReadAllwhen whole-file memory use is acceptable. - Discard input: use
Skip(n)for characters orSkipLinefor a complete line.
What TextStream does not provide
TextStream exposes sequential text operations, not a random-access byte API. The reference material also does not establish encoding rules or Unicode edge-case behavior; scripts that depend on a particular encoding should verify that behavior against the relevant VBScript and Windows documentation instead of assuming that TextStream performs a specific conversion.
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