Re: Prosel-1

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

In article <1993Apr14.022904.17389@r-node.hub.org> taob@r-node.hub.org writes:
> In article <jmk3.734670866@crux1.cit.cornell.edu>, Jay Krell writes...
> > 
> > If only GS/OS had a 32-bit filetype this all could've been avoided...
> > Actually, 32 might not have been enough depending on how backwards
> > compatibility was implemented, but it's irrelevant anyway.
> 
>     I thought GS/OS always had 32-bit file and auxtypes?  Maybe the
> ProDOS FST is limited to 16 bits of info...

In theory, GS/OS supports a 16-bit filetype and 32-bit auxtype.  In
practise, the ProDOS file system supports an 8-bit filetype and 16-bit
auxtype.  HFS doesn't have enough resolution in its TYPE/CREATOR
fields to represent a larger filetype or auxtype while retaining
filetype compatibility with ProDOS and avoiding interference with the
Mac.

Perhaps if there was a new "super ProDOS" file system (ideas for which
were beaten into oblivion several months ago), which supported a
16-bit filetype and 32-bit auxtype, then we might be able to use that.
The problem is, you wouldn't be able to copy a file with a 'big'
filetype/auxtype onto a ProDOS, HFS or AppleShare volume.

You might be able to get around it with a ProDOS disk by using more
fields in the 'extended key block', but HFS and AppleShare are right out.

I doubt that Apple's GS/OS team have the time or inclination to invent
a new file system...
-- 
David Empson                                                               
dempson@swell.actrix.gen.nz    <--- Note my new E-Mail address!            
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand