> may be a file name or a stream.
When the destination is a file name,
the global variable <code>file_output_append</code> governs
whether the output file is appended or truncated.
When the destination is a stream,
no special action is taken by <code>write_binary_data</code> after all the data are written;
in particular, the stream remains open.
</p>
<p>The byte order in elements of the destination
is specified by <code>assume_external_byte_order</code>.
</p>
</dd></dl>



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