Channel

Genstat accesses the files on the computer via channels. For each type of file, there is a set of numbered channels that can be used to reference different files in the various input/output directives. For example, there are five input channels, numbered 1 up to 5. Likewise, there are five output channels. Genstat distinguishes between the different types of channel, so you can have one file attached to input channel 3 and a different file simultaneously attached to output channel 3. (See the OPEN directive.)