_Added in 1.9.0_

*$read(filename, [ntswrp], [matchtext], [N])*

Returns a single line of text from a file.

_See also [[$readn]]._

*Parameters*

table(ktable).
|*Parameter*|*Description*|
| filename | Filename to read. |
| [ntswrp] | (optional) |
| [matchtext] | Matchtext to search. (optional) |
| [N] | The Nth line. |

*Options*

table(ktable).
|*Option*|*Description*|
| n | Don't evaluate any identifiers in the line. |
| t | Treat the first line as a plain text, even if it's a number. |
| s | Search for matchtext. |
| w | Search for matchtext as a wildmatch. |
| r | Search for matchtext as a regular expression. |
| p | Treat command <notextile>|</notextile> separators as such instead of as plain text. |

*Example*

<pre>
; Prints a random line from the file 'file.txt'.
//echo $read(file.txt)

; Prints line '10' from the file 'file,txt.
//echo $read(file.txt, 10)

; Searches file 'file,txt for a line beginning with the text 'Hello World' and prints the text following the match value.
//echo $read(file.txt, s, Hello World)

; Searches file 'file.txt' for a line matching the wildmatch '*Hello World*' and prints it.
//echo $read(file.txt, w, *Hello World*)
</pre>