>, and <CODE>io::stream&lt;my_device&gt;</CODE> is a derived class of <CODE>std::basic_istream</CODE>, <CODE>std::basic_ostream</CODE> or <CODE>std::basic_iostream</CODE> depending on the <A HREF="../guide/modes.html">mode</A> of my_device, <I>i.e.</I>, depending on which of the fundamental i/o operations <A HREF="../functions/read.html"><CODE>read</CODE></A>, <A HREF="../functions/write.html"><CODE>write</CODE></A> and <A HREF="../functions/seek.html"><CODE>seek</CODE></A> it supports.

<P>The template <CO