30 Jan
1998
30 Jan
'98
6:06 p.m.
Tim Shoppa wrote:
Sorry, but what _else_ were we supposed to do to allow multiple
filenames as command arguments? Use something else to separate
words on the command line? No, I was not one of the original
implementors of the Unix shell. However I don't know what the
problem is. Say you've got three files in the current directory,
"red", "green" and "red green". What is 'rm red
green' supposed
to do? I may not like the 14 character limit on filenames of the
old *nixen (and spaces _could_ be imbedded in filenames if you
knew how and wanted to piss off the sysadmin), but the space in the
filename gave its life for a decent command interpreter.
--
Ward Griffiths
Dylan: How many years must some people exist,
before they're allowed to be free?
WDG3rd: If they "must" exist until they're "allowed",
they'll never be free.
On Fri, 30 Jan 1998 SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com wrote:
Under Apple DOS 3.3, you can have anything in a filename you want.
Control characters, inverse/flashing, the works. Makes for some
pretty neat CATALOG listings, and is actually semi-workable as
a "security through obscurity" step (though every Junior High kid
knew how to bypass it...)
DOS 3.3 made it easy and convenient to access filenames with embedded
spaces. Too bad Unix shell command lines are traditionally brain-damaged
such that spaces in filenames must be quoted. look inside your ][+ and see if you have a
language card. if so, you have the
64k needed to run prodos. the latest and greatest version of prodos 8 won't
run on a ][+ i think, only an enjanced //e. if you dont, you can only run dos
3.3 i myself prefer both. i remember when prodos first came out and everyone
had an issue with the restrictive 15 character limit for filenames. that was
back before i worked with mess-dos and that 8.3 filename limit...
The silliest thing they did was restrict spaces in filenames. You had to
use a period instead. Blech. Its funny when you think about it.
Intuitively and I'm sure without really think about it, Apple developed a
very human interface with DOS by allowing one to save files with very
readable names. Ie: "BIORHYTHM PROGRAM" or "PROGRAM TO BALANCE
CHECKBOOK"
(30 character limit). Then with ProDOS, they regressed into the
function-forces-form syndrome by limiting filenames to 15 characters and
requiring periods in place of spaces.