a file in a service program

[rick.baird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I've got a service program, and a couple of the functions therein use a
file.

I would prefer to leave the file closed until i call one of the functions
that use it, then i'd like it to remain open until the calling program is
done.

Should I let the program open the file or open it myself?  If I open it
myself, will it close automagically when the current activation group ends?

thanks,

rick