## The `Open' method

Argument: None
Result: None

Valid for: Any object except the System object

The `Open` method explicitly opens an object, which normally makes it appear on the screen (provided its `visible` property is not zero, and also its parent is open and visible). For most ordinary visual controls, you do not normally need to use the `Open` method when an object is created, because `New` automatically opens it for you. The `Open` method is most useful for re-opening an object which has been closed, or for making a top-level object appear immediately after creation if your program has further processing to do (see the description of the `New` method). If the object is already open, this method does nothing.

For certain objects, the `Open` method has a special meaning:

For a Printer object, it starts a new print job, and printing commands (such as the `Print` method) will be appended to the open print job until the `Close` or `Abort` method is called.

For an APL (child task) object, the `Open` method allocates memory for the workspace and starts the task running.

For the networking objects GetMail, SendMail and Socket, the `Open` method establishes the connection to the remote host. See the descriptions of these objects for more details.

Note: Although you can use the `Open` method for the pre-defined dialogs such as ChooseColor and OpenFile, it has no useful effect for these object types.

Topic: APLX Help : System Classes : Methods : Open

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