writeStreamHeader

writeStreamHeader is a function commonly found in programming libraries that deal with file I/O or network streams. Its primary purpose is to write a header to the beginning of a data stream. This header typically contains metadata or control information that is essential for interpreting or processing the subsequent data within the stream.

The specific contents of a stream header can vary significantly depending on the application or protocol. For example, in file formats, a header might specify the file type, version number, data encoding, or the size of the data that follows. In network protocols, a header could include information such as the source and destination addresses, packet length, or flags indicating the type of data being transmitted.

The writeStreamHeader function usually takes the stream object and the header data as arguments. The header data might be provided as a string, a byte array, or a structured object that the function then serializes into the appropriate format for the stream. By writing the header first, the receiving end of the stream can correctly identify and process the data that is being sent. This ensures that data can be read and understood in a predictable manner, facilitating communication and data integrity.