I have a question here. Currently, the way directories are handled is by making a directory a somewhat special file (file type -1, IIRC).
Apart from that, though,a directory ia a simple file that can be accessed more or less like any file. Directories contain an "entry" per file referenced in that directory. Part of the entry is the filename of the file. However, and that is where the original designers made a design decision we all regret today, this filename is the ENTIRE name of the file, (minus the device name). Example: you have a file called "win1_subdir1_subdir2_subdir3_myfile" The filename as contained in the entry in subdir3_ for this file will be: "subdir1_subdir2_subdir3_myfile". As you can see, we are quickly getting to the 36 chars limit since that is the most space a filename can take in the directory file entry. Wouldn't the most simple way to get around the name length limitation be that each directory holds only the filename itself? Of course, each name on each directory level would still be limited to 36 chars, but something like: win1_verylongsubdirname1_verylongsubdirname2_verylongsubdirnam e3_verylongsubdirname4_verylongsubdirname5_prettylongfilename would be possible. Perhaps the directory should be a new file type (-5 ot whatever) to show that this is a new type of directory. Legacy applications wouldn't work in this scheme. But, let's face it, whatever the scheme you are going to implement, they won't work (one, because the finale filemane will be too long anyway, two because they can't access new directories anyway). I'm just asking this question since I don't think I'd be competent enough to make these changes. Wolfgang _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
