API helpThe _lopen function opens an existing file and sets the file pointer to the beginning of the file. This function is provided for compatibility with 16-bit versions of Windows. Win32-based applications should use the CreateFile function.

HFILE _lopen(

LPCSTR lpPathName, // pointer to name of file to open
int iReadWrite // file access mode
);
Parameters

lpPathName

Pointer to a null-terminated string that names the file to open. The string must consist of characters from the Windows ANSI character set.

iReadWrite

Specifies the modes in which to open the file. This parameter consists of one access mode and an optional share mode. The access mode must be one of the following values:

Value Meaning
OF_READ Opens the file for reading only.
OF_READWRITE Opens the file for reading and writing.
OF_WRITE Opens the file for writing only.
The share mode can be one of the following values:

Value Meaning
OF_SHARE_COMPAT Opens the file in compatibility mode, enabling any process on a given computer to open the file any number of times. If the file has been opened by using any of the other share modes, _lopen fails.
OF_SHARE_DENY_NONE Opens the file without denying other processes read or write access to the file. If the file has been opened in compatibility mode by any other process, _lopen fails.
OF_SHARE_DENY_READ Opens the file and denies other processes read access to the file. If the file has been opened in compatibility mode or for read access by any other process, _lopen fails.
OF_SHARE_DENY_WRITE Opens the file and denies other processes write access to the file. If the file has been opened in compatibility mode or for write access by any other process, _lopen fails.
OF_SHARE_EXCLUSIVE Opens the file in exclusive mode, denying other processes both read and write access to the file. If the file has been opened in any other mode for read or write access, even by the current process, _lopen fails.
Return Values

If the function succeeds, the return value is a file handle.

Только зачем API? Есть не плохая в PB:

uncle Paul...никто не говорит что плохая. при чтении бинарного фала и при встрече eof эта функция не читает файл до конца. и медленная она.
Тогда понятно.
А если так попробывать объявить:

2 Dim2000
Зачем же так кричать? Автор же пишет: uncle Paul...если бы я все знал про вызовы внешних функций, то не спрашивал бы тут...