duvalj@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Joe Duval - Entomology) (07/27/90)
Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should start worrying if I go above? I am having problems in WORD 5.0 accessing the disk drive in the root directory where there are 180+ files. (Someone elses machine) Could the number of files be a problem -Joe
jm21@prism.gatech.EDU (Jim Marks) (07/27/90)
In article <19528@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> duvalj@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Joe Duval - Entomology) writes: >Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should >start worrying if I go above? > ... > >Could the number of files be a problem > I had this problem once upon a time. I believe it is more of a problem for floppy drives, but can be for hard drives also. According to my DOS manual (Dell 3.30), you can have up to 112 files in the root directory of a 5-1/4 DSDD disk or 224 entries for a 3-1/2 HD (1.44M) disk. It doesn't say how many for a hard drive. I'm pretty sure that this is because of how the disk is formatted. The root directory is in a fixed location on the disk, and its size is determined when you format. Subdirectories, on the other hand, are treated like files and can be anywhere; in particular, they can be extended, so that you aren't limited on how many files you can have in them. >-Joe -- Jim Marks | Georgia Tech Research Institute Compuserve: 72310,2410 | Concepts Analysis Laboratory Internet: jm21@prism.gatech.edu -or- jmarks@gtri01.gatech.edu
austing@Apple.COM (Glenn L. Austin) (07/27/90)
jm21@prism.gatech.EDU (Jim Marks) writes: >In article <19528@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> duvalj@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Joe Duval - Entomology) writes: >>Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should >>start worrying if I go above? >> >... >> >>Could the number of files be a problem >> >According to my DOS manual (Dell 3.30), you can have up to 112 files in the >root directory of a 5-1/4 DSDD disk or 224 entries for a 3-1/2 HD (1.44M) >disk. It doesn't say how many for a hard drive. The number for most hard drives (prior to 4.0) was 512 directory entries. Don't forget that the Label uses one directory entry, two are used for the low-level DOS (xxxIO, xxxDOS), one is needed for CONFIG.SYS, one is needed for COMMAND.COM (unless you specify otherwise in CONFIG.SYS), and one is used for each subdirectory in the root directory. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Glenn L. Austin | "Turn too soon, run out of room, | | Auto Racing Enthusiast and | Turn too late, much better fate" | | Communications Toolbox Hacker | - Jim Russell Racing School Instructors | | Apple Computer, Inc. | "Drive slower, race faster" - D. Waltrip | | Internet: austing@apple.com |-------------------------------------------| | AppleLink: AUSTIN.GLENN | All opinions stated above are mine -- | | Bellnet: (408) 974-0876 | who else would want them? | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
mkallas@digi.lonestar.org (mark kallas) (07/27/90)
In article <19528@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> duvalj@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Joe Duval - Entomology) writes: >Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should >start worrying if I go above? The limit is for the root directory only. There is no limit for the number of files in a sub-directory. Common Root Directory Limits Single Sided Floppy Disk (160K) 64 files Double Sided Double Density (360K) 112 files Double Sided High Density (1.2M) 224 files Fixed Disk (any size) 512 files (sorry I didn't see info on 720k or 1.44M micro floppies) Reference - _PC_Magazine_DOS_Power_Tools by Paul Somerson Chapter 3 - Hard Disks Made Easy, Directory Limits page 77-- UUCP : texbell!digi!mkallas Internet: mkallas@digi.lonestar.org
grantk@manta.NOSC.MIL (Kelly J. Grant) (07/28/90)
>>Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should > >According to my DOS manual (Dell 3.30), you can have up to 112 files in the >root directory of a 5-1/4 DSDD disk or 224 entries for a 3-1/2 HD (1.44M) >disk. It doesn't say how many for a hard drive. > <Good technical advice removed :-) > As hackers and/or power users, I feel it is our job to educate people on how to best use their computers. They should be shown how to make subdirectories and how to easily move back and forth between them. Use the filing cabinent analogy, and you will have no trouble getting them to understand. Especially since most new software deals well with multiple directories, there should be little pain involved for the user. You just may breed another power user ! :-) Just my $.02 worth Kelly -- Kelly Grant grantk@manta.nosc.mil (619) 225-8401 Computer Sciences Corp ^^^^^^^^ Important: manta.UUCP won't get to me 4045 Hancock Street "If you are given lemons.....see if you can trade for San Diego, CA 92110 chocolate" - me
young@ut-emx.UUCP (Young) (07/28/90)
Limit on Number of Directory Entries
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Each directory entry (usually file) requires
32 bytes for sttributes and specifications.
^^^^^^^^
2. One sector usually provides 512 Kbytes.
^^^^^^^^^^
3. Each disk type uses different number of sectors
for directory entry information. High-density
disks use _14 sectors_ (7168 bytes), double-sided
double-density disks use _7 sectors_ (3584 bytes),
and single-sided double-density disks use
_4 sectors_ (2048 bytes), regardless the size
of disk (e.g. 5.25" or 3.5").
Note: In case of double-density 5.25" disks,
both 9 and 8 sector formats use the same
amount of sectors for directory entry
information.
4. Now, one can easily :-) calculate the maximum number
of directory entries:
DSSD (160 or 180 Kbytes) - 64 entries
DSDD (320, 360, 720 Kbytes) - 112 entries
DSHD (1.2 or 1.4 Mbytes) - 224 entries.
5. As Mr. Glenn L. Austin @ Apple Comp. Inc.
(austing@apple.com) posted on 7/26/90,
most hard disks support(ed) up to 512 directory
entires. But, under a DOS 4.xx, the number
may be different. In addition, the number is
dependent on the physical design of a hard disk.
6. Finally, let me quote Mr. Glenn L. Austin's words:
> Don't forget that the Label uses one directory entry,
> two are used for the low-level DOS (xxxIO, xxxDOS),
> one is needed for CONFIG.SYS, one is needed for
> COMMAND.COM (unless you specify otherwise in CONFIG.SYS),
> and one is used for each subdirectory in the root directory.
These are important things that are frequently overlooked.
Young @ the University of Texas at Austin
young@emx.utexas.edu (Arpa/Internet)
BGBG767@UTAIVC (Bitnet)dold@mitisft.Convergent.COM (Clarence Dold) (07/28/90)
in article <19528@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU>, duvalj@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Joe Duval - Entomology) says: > Is there a limit on files in DOS? Is there a certain number that I should > start worrying if I go above? Along with the hard limits that other posters mention, there is also the issue of performance. You mention 'trouble' not failure. There is a certain number of files, and the number is exact, although I can't recall what or why, where MSDOS access almost dies. My wife had ~300 files in one directory, which I split into 10 directories. The difference was astounding. I originally thought it was file fragmentation, but it was directory size. The system still worked with the outsize directory, it just wasn't much fun. Some other poster provided the exact number, along with the reason, and I've forgotten both. -- --- Clarence A Dold - dold@tsmiti.Convergent.COM (408) 435-5293 ...pyramid!ctnews!tsmiti!dold FAX (408) 435-3105 P.O.Box 6685, San Jose, CA 95150-6685 MS#10-007