Re: Really basic question

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Pim Blokland <PBlokland@compuserve.com> wrote:

> There also is a command for going to the root of the current disk:
> 
> PREFIX /

Sort of.  This command actually clears the prefix completely, and
reverts to the default "slot and drive" method.

BASIC.SYSTEM's prefix managment operates in either of two modes:

- specified prefix
- slot and drive

If you set an explicit prefix with the PREFIX command, then you go into
"specified prefix" mode.  All subsequent use of the slot and drive
operators will only produce a one-off reference to the root directory of
the specified slot/drive, with subsequent unqualified commands reverting
to the prefix.

If you clear the prefix using PREFIX / then you go back to the default
mode, where the slot and drive directives "stick", and the behaviour is
pretty much the same as DOS 3.3.

Typing in PREFIX by itself (no argument) will display the current
prefix.  If you have set an explicit prefix, then it just prints the
prefix.  If no explicit prefix has been set ("slot and drive" mode) then
BASIC.SYSTEM checks the disk in the drive and displays its name.  This
is quite noticeable if you are using a 5.25" floppy.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P O Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand