berger@datacube.UUCP (09/16/86)
Is there a way to tell MS-DOS to allow file names that are greater
than 8 characters long?
Thanks in adavance,
Bob Berger
Datacube Inc. 4 Dearborn Rd. Peabody, Ma 01960 617-535-6644
ihnp4!datacube!berger
{seismo,cbosgd,cuae2,mit-eddie}!mirror!datacube!bergerjohnl@ima.UUCP (John R. Levine) (09/17/86)
In article <44600005@datacube> berger@datacube.UUCP writes: >Is there a way to tell MS-DOS to allow file names that are greater >than 8 characters long? No. (That was easy, wasn't it?) The 8+3 name convention is buried deep within the operating system, and the disk formats are designed around it. Many system calls also use argument blocks exactly long enough for 8+3 names. Some versions of Novell networks allow longer Unix-style names on files stored on the net, but they do that by wrapping their own code around DOS and reimplementing all of the file I/O calls on their own file system. -- John R. Levine, Javelin Software Corp., Cambridge MA +1 617 494 1400 { ihnp4 | decvax | cbosgd | harvard | yale }!ima!johnl, Levine@YALE.EDU The opinions expressed herein are solely those of a 12-year-old hacker who has broken into my account and not those of any person or organization.
brown@nicmad.UUCP (09/18/86)
In article <44600005@datacube> berger@datacube.UUCP writes: > >Is there a way to tell MS-DOS to allow file names that are greater >than 8 characters long? You actually have 11 characters. The 8 character file name and the 3 character extension. But, unfortunately that is it. MS and PC-DOS is defined to that number by the logic with which the directory entries work. Remember it isn't UNIX. -- [Next quote over to you, Nyssa] ihnp4------\ harvard-\ \ Mr. Video seismo!uwvax!nicmad!brown topaz-/ / decvax------/
bill@hp-pcd.UUCP (bill) (09/18/86)
No, unless you count the three character extension, which brings you up to eleven characters. You can specify more than eight characters in the filename, but only the first eight will be used. The problem here is that MS-DOS directory entries must rigidly follow a fixed format: 32 bytes per entry, of which the first 8 bytes are the filename, the next 3 bytes are the extension, and subsequent bytes specify time/date stamp, attributes, starting cluster, file size, etc. This 32-byte fixed format is well defined and well documented. I can only think of a couple of things in MS-DOS that are relatively unrestricted: the size of a single file, and the number of files that can be contained in a subdirectory. bill frolik hp-pcd!bill
connery@bnrmtv.UUCP (09/19/86)
> > Is there a way to tell MS-DOS to allow file names that are greater > than 8 characters long? > > Thanks in adavance, > > Bob Berger > > Datacube Inc. 4 Dearborn Rd. Peabody, Ma 01960 617-535-6644 > > ihnp4!datacube!berger > {seismo,cbosgd,cuae2,mit-eddie}!mirror!datacube!berger No. -- Glenn Connery, Bell Northern Research, Mountain View, CA {hplabs,amdahl,3comvax}!bnrmtv!connery
wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (09/22/86)
****Hello line eater**** One possible alternative to using longer more descriptive file names would be to using a memory resident program such as "smart notes" to attach pop-up notes to directory listings. Smart notes looks at screen memory, something like the last 50 characters entered. If the preceeding characters pattern match the preceeding characters for a known string in a target list, the note is popped up on the screen. The problem is that if the context in which the target string appears is changed, the note might not pop up. This could be a potential problem as a directory is reordered. What I'm describing is a commercial program that is readily available. I have to admit that I have not used it; I also don't have anything to gain by recommending it. I think the list price is about $49 US. Bill Mayhew Division of Basic Medical Sciences Northeastern Ohio Universities' College of Medicine Rootstown, OH 44272 USA (216) 325-2511 (wtm@neoucom.UUCP)