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| Chapter 11 The java.io Package |

# PushbackInputStream

## Name

PushbackInputStream

## Synopsis

Class Name:

  `java.io.PushbackInputStream`

Superclass:

  `java.io.FilterInputStream`

Immediate Subclasses:

  None

Interfaces Implemented:

  None

Availability:

  JDK 1.0 or later

## Description

The `PushbackInputStream` class represents a byte stream that allows data to be pushed back into the stream. In other words, after data has been read from a `PushbackInputStream`, it can be pushed back into the stream so that it can be reread. This functionality is useful for implementing things like parsers that need to read data and then return it to the input stream.

The `PushbackInputStream` has been enhanced as of JDK 1.1 to support a pushback buffer that is larger than one byte. Prior to JDK 1.1, the class supported only a one-byte buffer using the protected variable `pushBack`. As of 1.1, that variable has been replaced by the `buf` and `pos` variables.

## Class Summary

    public class java.io.PushbackInputStream extends java.io.FilterInputStream {
      // Variables
      protected byte[] buf;                           // New in 1.1
      protected int pos;                              // New in 1.1
      // Constructors
      public PushbackInputStream(InputStream in);
      public PushbackInputStream(InputStream in,
                                 int size);           // New in 1.1
      // Instance Methods
      public int available();
      public boolean markSupported();
      public int read();
      public int read(byte[] b, int off, int len);
      public void unread(int b);
      public void unread(byte[] b);                   // New in 1.1
      public void unread(byte[] b, int off, int len); // New in 1.1
    }

## Variables

### buf

#### protected byte[] buf

Availability

  New as of JDK 1.1

Description

  The buffer that holds data that has been pushed back.

### pos

#### protected int pos

Availability

  New as of JDK 1.1

Description

  The position of pushed-back data in the buffer. When there is no pushed-back data, `pos` is `buf.length`. As data is pushed back, `pos` decreases. As pushed-back data is read, `pos` increases. When the pushback buffer is full, `pos` is 0.

## Constructors

### PushbackInputStream

#### public PushbackInputStream(InputStream in)

Parameters

  `in`

    The input stream to wrap.

Description

  This constructor creates a `PushbackInputStream` that reads from the given `InputStream`, using a pushback buffer with the default size of one byte.

#### public PushBackInputStream(InputStream in, int size)

Availability

  New as of JDK 1.1

Parameters

  `in`

    The input stream to wrap.

  `size`

    The size of the pushback buffer.

Description

  This constructor creates a `PushbackInputStream` that reads from the given `InputStream`, using a pushback buffer of the given size.

## Instance Methods

### available

#### public int available() throws IOException

Returns

  The number of bytes that can be read without blocking.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If any kind of I/O error occurs.

Overrides

  `FilterInputStream.available()`

Description

  This method returns the number of bytes that can be read without having to wait for more data to become available. This is `b` + `u`, where `b` is the number of bytes in the pushback buffer and `u` is the number of available bytes in the underlying stream.

### markSupported

#### public boolean markSupported()

Returns

  The `boolean` value `false`.

Overrides

  `FilterInputStream.markSupported()`

Description

  This method returns `false` to indicate that this class does not support `mark()` and `reset()`.

### read

#### public int read() throws IOException

Returns

  The next byte of data, or `-1` if the end of the stream is encountered.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If any kind of I/O error occurs.

Overrides

  `FilterInputStream.read()`

Description

  This method reads a byte of data. If there is any data in the pushback buffer, the method returns the next byte in the pushback buffer. Otherwise, it calls the `read()` method of the underlying stream. The method blocks until the byte is read, the end of the stream is encountered, or an exception is thrown.

#### public int read(byte b[], int off, int len) throws IOException

Parameters

  `b`

    An array of bytes to be filled from the stream.

  `off`

    An offset into the byte array.

  `len`

    The number of bytes to read.

Returns

  The actual number of bytes read, or `-1` if the end of the stream is encountered immediately.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If any kind of I/O error occurs.

Overrides

  `FilterInputStream.read(byte[], int, int)`

Description

  This method copies bytes from the stream into the given array `b`, starting at index `off` and continuing for `len` bytes. If the array can be populated solely from the pushback buffer, the method returns immediately. Otherwise, the `read(byte[],` `int,` `int)` method of the underlying stream is called to make up the difference. The method blocks until some data is available.

### unread

#### public void unread(int b) throws IOException

Parameters

  `b`

    The value to push back.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If the pushback buffer is full.

Description

  This method puts the given byte into the pushback buffer.

#### public void unread(byte[] b) throws IOException

Availability

  New as of JDK 1.1

Parameters

  `b`

    An array of bytes to push back.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If the pushback buffer is full.

Description

  This method puts all of the bytes in the given array into the pushback buffer.

#### public void unread(byte[] b, int off, int len) throws IOException

Availability

  New as of JDK 1.1

Parameters

  `b`

    An array of bytes to push back.

  `off`

    An offset into the array.

  `len`

    The number of bytes to push back.

Throws

  `IOException`

    If the pushback buffer is full.

Description

  This method puts `len` bytes from the given array, starting at offset `off`, into the pushback buffer.

## Inherited Methods

Method | Inherited From | Method | Inherited From
--- | --- | --- | ---
`clone()` | `Object` | `close()` | `FilterInputStream`
`equals(Object)` | `Object` | `finalize()` | `Object`
`getClass()` | `Object` | `hashCode()` | `Object`
`mark(int)` | `FilterInputStream` | `notify()` | `Object`
`notifyAll()` | `Object` | `read(byte[])` | `FilterInputStream`
`reset()` | `FilterInputStream` | `skip(long)` | `FilterInputStream`
`toString()` | `Object` | `wait()` | `Object`
`wait(long)` | `Object` | `wait(long, int)` | `Object`

## See Also

`FilterInputStream`, `InputStream`, `IOException`

PrintWriter |  | PushbackReader