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From: bob@eddie.mit.edu@lmi-angel.UUCP (Bob Chassell)
Newsgroups: comp.emacs
Subject: Backup files and auto-deletion
Message-ID: <8701061830.AA00965@lmi-angel.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 6-Jan-87 13:30:05 EST
Article-I.D.: lmi-ange.8701061830.AA00965
Posted: Tue Jan  6 13:30:05 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 6-Jan-87 23:13:41 EST
Sender: daemon@mit-eddie.MIT.EDU
Lines: 26


    I propose changing the default behavior of backups to make *one*
    backup. .... In short, we need two backup flavors.

This is the current default behavior on the current 17.64 release
and is described in the manual, which says "At your option,
Emacs can keep either a single backup file or a series of numbered
backup files.... If you chose to have a single backup file (this is
the default)...."  

    ... rms has as usual gone off half-cocked...

In this circumstance I do not see how he could do better.
Numbered backups were invented because people complained that a single
backup is not enough; because at absorbs diskspace, numbered backups are
an option that is not the default.  I use numbered backups on the
files that need them and single backups on the rest.  It works well.

Also, someone mentioned recently that they were collecting autosave
files and weren't keen on them.  First, let me say that autosave files
are a wonderful invention.  I have worked on systems without such a
feature and lost work.  Autosave files pay for themselves many times
over.  If you don't want the autosave files to clutter up your
directory, set the variable delete-auto-save-files to t.  When this is
done, Emacs will delete the autosave file when you save the file yourself.
This will keep your directories clean.