Yes, void is an English word that can be used as a verb or noun. A
void is an empty space, to void something is to zero or empty it.
What you're doing with a move or delete on flash memory is almost
invariably simply voiding the file entry in the FAT directory
structure, not writing zeros to every location that the file occupied
on the media. Even a format instruction to most flash memory drivers
simply deletes the FAT tables and recreates them after checking for
bad blocks, specifically to minimize writes to the media and prolong
its life. In most flash memory implementations of mass storage
drivers, the only way to write to locations on the media is to
specifically use the file write instructions.
Formatting is best done with the camera or other device that is going
to use the media as that way you are ensured that the specific
foibles of that device's FAT implementation are expressed correctly
in bad block analysis and FAT structure creation. Deleting, however,
is rarely a problem as all the host device is doing is calling a
standard function to void that FAT entry, which uses the existing
structure.
Godfrey
On Mar 21, 2006, at 7:47 AM, Thibouille wrote:
Usually, when I transfer data from my card to my PC, I do a move
rather than a copy.
Why? Easier. Never had a problem like it wouldn't work unless I format
in the camera or whetever. So I move PEFs. Move means deleting which
means writing as well (tiny little data but a write is a write).
That way I know that a card I emptied, is also always void (mm is void
a correct english term? C programming is getting in the party ;)
If I mention all this story is because as everyone know we (this list)
are always nitpicking about everything: well, the truth is this one.
Does it make any different to anybody? Dunno. You know yourself better
than I do. It's for the sake of education :)
