filename hoopla

[mo%lbl-csam at sri-unix.UUCP]

From:  Mike O'Dell [system] <mo at lbl-csam>

(1) Dennis Ritchie has blessed the notion that meta-bit (parity bit)
characters in path components are evil and 4.1a and later systems
produce error returns from creat() when given them.  This solves
the usual problem of giving garbage to creat() and getting
a piece of core image treated as a filename.

(2) The only magic characters in filenames are NULL (ascii 0) and
/ (ascii 057).  NULL terminates strings, and / separates components.
I know of no other system with such a civilized and unobtrusive
notion of filename.

(3) Suggestions to return to the days of RAD-50 filenames (even
RAD-50 with lower case (RAD-76?)) should earn the suggestor instant,
public evisceration.  Even VMS is about to take that step into the
20th century (however, the list of magic characters is MUCH larger).

(4) Sharp tools insist upon craftsmen, so read the instructions
before using that entrenching tool.

	-Mike