VMS question

In fact, opening a file in "append" mode will not create a new version, but add information to the *end* of the existing file without moving existing data around, as with any other operating system. This would be the right way to update a .LOG file. Opening a file for "write" access will also use the existing file, but will leave you positioned at the *start* of the file. For sequential files (as opposed to index-sequential), this will result in the existing file getting truncated to zero length, and contents replaced with what the program writes from the beginning. If you "create" a file, however, the old version will stay in place, and a new file (with the next higher version number) will be started. That's what most standard utilities do to output their results, e.g., that's what a VMS editor will do when you EXIT. Andreas Eric Dittman wrote: -- Andreas Freiherr Vishay Semiconductor GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany http://www.vishay.com