# Programming Clojure, Fourth Edition: clojure.core/read note is not clear. (page 50)

**URL:** <https://forum.devtalk.com/t/programming-clojure-fourth-edition-clojure-core-read-note-is-not-clear-page-50/241389>\
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**Created:** [15 April 2026 20:42 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/programming-clojure-fourth-edition-clojure-core-read-note-is-not-clear-page-50/241389 "2026-04-15T20:42:19Z")\
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**Author:** ![santiagocabrera96](https://forum.devtalk.com/user_avatar/forum.devtalk.com/santiagocabrera96/32/8013_2.png) [@santiagocabrera96](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/santiagocabrera96)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2026 20:42 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/programming-clojure-fourth-edition-clojure-core-read-note-is-not-clear-page-50/241389/1 "2026-04-15T20:42:19Z")

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Hi!

In page 50 of the book, chapter 3. In the clojure.core/read section it has the following text:

> One important note is that the read functions read the “next” value from the character stream or string and leave or ignore any value after that. The `read` and `read-string` functions have special options that allow you to ensure the input is fully read if needed.

I don’t understand what that means. My understanding initially reading this was that it is possible to read all the values present in the string/stream, but checking the documentation I don’t see this.

Reading the doc of read.

```auto
(doc read)
-------------------------
clojure.core/read
([] [stream] [stream eof-error? eof-value] [stream eof-error? eof-value recursive?] [opts stream])
  Reads the next object from stream, which must be an instance of
  java.io.PushbackReader or some derivee. stream defaults to the
  current value of *in*.

  Opts is a persistent map with valid keys:
    :read-cond - :allow to process reader conditionals, or
                 :preserve to keep all branches
    :features - persistent set of feature keywords for reader conditionals
    :eof - on eof, return value unless :eofthrow, then throw.
           if not specified, will throw

  Note that read can execute code (controlled by *read-eval*),
  and as such should be used only with trusted sources.

  For data structure interop use clojure.edn/read
 

```

I guessed is what `recursive?` does, but trying it out doesn’t seem to be the case.

Can someone help me understand this section please?