From: Gregory Brown <gregory.t.brown@...>
Date: 2008-09-16T22:15:16+09:00
Subject: [ruby-core:18631] Request: File.binread (Or File.read_binary)

Just incase it got lost in the other thread, I'd like to recommend the
inclusion of a File.binread method.
(Or preferably, File.read_binary)

Trivial Ruby implementation below.  The idea is that this would allow
us to forget about the encoding of a binary blob unless we actually
need to know it (then use File.open), and give us a short and clear
way to express a common need.

class File
  def self.read_binary(file_name)
    File.open(file_name, "rb:BINARY") { |f| f.read }
  end
end

>> File.read_binary("foo.jpg")

I'd love to see this make it into 1.9.1 if possible.

-greg

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