Re: Case sensitive file names

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2 total messages Started by Guest Moderator, John B. Chamber... Mon, 17 Nov 1986 18:49

#407

Author: Guest Moderator, John B. Chamber...
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1986 18:49

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References:


>From im4u!rbj@icst-cmr.ARPA Mon Nov 10 16:31:53 1986
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 86 16:40:48 EST
From: Root Boy Jim <im4u!rbj@icst-cmr.ARPA>

Re: Volume-Number: Volume 8, Number 25
>      This gives you all the directory advantages of a case-dependent
> filesystem.  The only "feature" you lose is the ability to create a
> separate Readme, ReadMe, readme, and README set of files.  I personally
> believe that anybody who creates files which differ from case deserves
> to be shot or at least have his employment terminated with extreme
> prejudice.  [ I suggest readers interpret that last sentence as a
> hypothetical statement applying to none of them.  -mod ]

There are several uses I can think of:

	1) linking: cd /etc; ln passwd PASSWD
		This makes it less likely that I will lose my passwd
		file even if I do `rm p*'.
	2) old versions: cd /etc; cp passwd PASSWD
		Keeps a backup version. Note that these two uses may
		conflict if I decide to `cp /dev/null PASSWD'!
	3) filename completion: using (1) an the 4.3 csh, I can type
		`vi /etc/P<ESC><RET>'. Ok, ok, emacs then :-)
	4) intermediate files: instead of picking a new name, I can
		just change case. Yes I know I can use other methods.

While I generally think it undesirable to depend on case for human 
distinction, it comes in quite handy sometimes. I have seen the same
trick used in C programs as well, #defining foo to union_name.Foo.
Before you flame the usage, my source is the Berkeley VLSI tools.

	(Root Boy) Jim Cottrell		<rbj@icst-cmr.arpa>
	Was John Hinckley allowed to watch `Taxi Driver' last night?


Volume-Number: Volume 8, Number 54

Re: Case sensitive file names

#413

Author: Guest Moderator, John B. Chamber...
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1986 21:27

30 lines
1778 bytes

Date: Thu, 20 Nov 86 08:39:02 -0200
From: mcvax!crin!tombre@seismo.UUCP (Karl Tombre)
Organization: C.R.I.N., Nancy, France

On use of case in filenames :

>There are several uses I can think of:
>
>	1) linking: cd /etc; ln passwd PASSWD
>		This makes it less likely that I will lose my passwd
>		file even if I do `rm p*'.
>	2) old versions: cd /etc; cp passwd PASSWD
>		Keeps a backup version. Note that these two uses may
>		conflict if I decide to `cp /dev/null PASSWD'!
>	3) filename completion: using (1) an the 4.3 csh, I can type
>		`vi /etc/P<ESC><RET>'. Ok, ok, emacs then :-)
>	4) intermediate files: instead of picking a new name, I can
>		just change case. Yes I know I can use other methods.
>

Well and how about directories? I know at least 2 tools using cases in their
directories : rn (News directory) and mail mode in Unipress emacs (Messages
directory). So I generalized this use. All my directories begin with
uppercase, the other files with lowercase. This provides an easy way to
separate directory from file. Of course, that's what I do in my home
directory, I let /usr, /etc and so on remain in lower case :-)

Volume-Number: Volume 8, Number 60

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