User`s manual

Chapter 7 209

Memory Cards/Mass Storage

DOS File System Considerations

The DOS file system is used on IBM compatible personal computers.

The DOS file system is hierarchical, which means it supports

subdirectories. The DOS file system allows up to 8-character file names

with an optional extension of up to 3 characters. The file name is

separated from the extension (if it exists) with a period (.). DOS file

names are case independent. The characters are stored as upper case

ASCII in the DOS directory but the files may be referenced without

regard to case. The DOS file system always converts any lowercase

characters to uppercase when files are stored. For example, the file

names File1, FILE1, file1 and FiLe1 all represent the single DOS file,

FILE1.

Program and data files can be stored and retrieved from IBASIC using

the DOS file system.

The period (.) may appear in the name but only to separate the file

name from the extension. The period is not considered part of the file

name itself. If the name portion of a DOS file name is longer than 8

characters, it is truncated to 8 characters and no error is generated.

Similarly, if the extension is longer than 3 characters, it is truncated to

3 characters and no error is given.

Test Set File Naming Conventions

The Test Set’s Tests Subsystem uses the following file naming

conventions:

•The .PGM extension is used to indicate a code file and is

automatically added to the file name when the program code file is

stored for use by the Tests Subsystem.

•The .PRC extension is used to indicate a procedure file and is added

to the file name when the file is stored by the Tests Subsystem

•The .LIB extension is used to indicate a library file and is added to

the file name when the file is created by the Program Development

System for use with the Tests Subsystem

The Test Set’s Save/Recall register subsystem uses the following file

naming convention:

•The .SAV extension is used to indicate a stored Save/Recall register

file and is added to the file name when the file is created.