[Home](./index.md) > [bitburner](./bitburner.md) > [NS](./bitburner.ns.md) > [read](./bitburner.ns.read.md) ## NS.read() method Read content of a file. Signature: ```typescript read(handle: string): any; ``` ## Parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | handle | string | Port or text file to read from. | Returns: any Data in the specified text file or port. ## Remarks RAM cost: 1 GB This function is used to read data from a port or from a text file (.txt). This function will return the data in the specified text file. If the text file does not exist, an empty string will be returned.