.q.en - does it read the sym file from disk every time?

[jattwick]

The .Q namespace – tools | Reference | kdb+ and q documentation - Kdb+ and q documentation (kx.com)

based on this, it seems .q.en[] reads the sym file from disk every time it is called, which would pick up any updates that are coming from other processes.

However, I am not 100% certain and I am not proficient in reading the k implementation to know whether or not this is the case. I'm hoping someone has done this exercise and can answer it for me.

[jfealy · Accepted solution]

Hi - yes it does. The corresponding logic block in .Q.en is 

(`/:d,s)??,/?:'{$[0h=@x;,/x;x]}'t c
// which translates to
`:path/to/sym ? distinct raze distinct each (symlist from each column)

https://code.kx.com/q/ref/enum-extend/#filepath