[R] immortal connections

[Pierre Kleiber]

  I have several data input functions that include a construct like
the following:

   indat <- function(stuff) {
     [...]
     awkp <- paste("awk ...yada yada...", stuff, etc.)
     scan(pipe(awkp),quiet=TRUE)
   }

I use these functions a lot, and as I do, a lengthening list of
closed, but undestroyed, connections accumulates.  Ultimately this
appears to stuff things up and cause error messages, such as "cannot
close output sink connection".  I seem to remember a related query
some time ago on this list, but I can't locate it.  So my question is:
Should I include a closeAllConnections() at the end of each input
function?... or is there a preferrable tactic?

  Thanks, Pierre

vital data: 
  R  Version 1.4.1  (2002-01-30)
  Red Hat Linux release 7.2 (Enigma)

-- 
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Pierre Kleiber             Email: pkleiber at honlab.nmfs.hawaii.edu
Fishery Biologist                     Tel: 808 983-5399/737-7544
NOAA FISHERIES - Honolulu Laboratory         Fax: 808 983-2902
2570 Dole St., Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 
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