# Rename \`writedlm\` to \`printdlm\` to parallel \`print\` vs. \`write\`

**URL:** <https://discourse.julialang.org/t/rename-writedlm-to-printdlm-to-parallel-print-vs-write/8015>\
**Category:** Internals & Design\
**Tags:** proposal\
**Created:** [December 27, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/rename-writedlm-to-printdlm-to-parallel-print-vs-write/8015 "2017-12-27T04:08:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tparker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tparker](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/tparker)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/rename-writedlm-to-printdlm-to-parallel-print-vs-write/8015/1 "2017-12-27T04:08:55Z")

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`print(::IO, x)` outputs `x` in human-readable text form, while `write(::IO, x)` outputs `x` in non-human-readable binary form. However, `writedlm(::IO, x)` outputs `x` in human-readable delimited form. Should it be renamed to `printdlm(::IO, x)` in order to parallel the distinction between `write` and `print`?

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**Author:** ![nalimilan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/nalimilan/32/147_2.png) [@nalimilan](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/nalimilan)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 10:50am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/rename-writedlm-to-printdlm-to-parallel-print-vs-write/8015/2 "2017-12-27T10:50:56Z")

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Good question. I think a justification for the current naming is that it’s more common to talk about “writing to a file”. Many packages use `write` functions too. I wouldn’t say the inconsistency is a problem.

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**Author:** ![bramtayl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/bramtayl/32/3614_2.png) [@bramtayl](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/bramtayl)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/rename-writedlm-to-printdlm-to-parallel-print-vs-write/8015/3 "2017-12-27T17:48:48Z")

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If we made dlm part of the iocontext, we could just use read and write?