Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!mo@lbl-csam From: mo%lbl-csam@sri-unix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Subject: filename hoopla Message-ID: <3659@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Sun, 31-Jul-83 10:35:46 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.3659 Posted: Sun Jul 31 10:35:46 1983 Date-Received: Wed, 3-Aug-83 03:19:08 EDT Lines: 22 From: Mike O'Dell [system](1) Dennis Ritchie has blessed the notion that meta-bit (parity bit) characters in path components are evil and 4.1a and later systems produce error returns from creat() when given them. This solves the usual problem of giving garbage to creat() and getting a piece of core image treated as a filename. (2) The only magic characters in filenames are NULL (ascii 0) and / (ascii 057). NULL terminates strings, and / separates components. I know of no other system with such a civilized and unobtrusive notion of filename. (3) Suggestions to return to the days of RAD-50 filenames (even RAD-50 with lower case (RAD-76?)) should earn the suggestor instant, public evisceration. Even VMS is about to take that step into the 20th century (however, the list of magic characters is MUCH larger). (4) Sharp tools insist upon craftsmen, so read the instructions before using that entrenching tool. -Mike