Re: ProDOS commands

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

Simon Williams <ludditetech@mac.com> wrote:

> "suncho" <suncho@ignorethis.cs.tut.fi> wrote:
> 
> PREFIX with no parameters shows the current prefix 
> PREFIX,S6 sets the prefix to S6,D1
> PREFIX/ does nothing as far as I can tell...

"PREFIX /" clears any prefix which may have been set, reverting to "slot
and drive" mode.  (If you have set an explicit prefix, then the S and D
parameters only temporarily override the prefix - any command issued
without them will use the prefix instead of accessing the last
slot/drive.)

You can observe the behaviour most clearly with a 5.25" drive.

Assume you have a disk called /APPLEWORKS in S6,D1.

PREFIX /APPLEWORKS will set an explicit prefix to a disk called
APPLEWORKS.

Type CAT (with no arguments) and the system will catalog the disk
(possibly searching for it first).

Type PREFIX (with no arguments) and the system will print "/APPLEWORKS"
without any disk activity.

Now type PREFIX /

Now type PREFIX (with no arguments).  The system will have to check the
current slot and drive to find out the name of the current disk (if you
swap disks, it will show the name of the new disk).

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz