From: mschulter AT  DOT value DOT net (M. Schulter)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: fopen bug...?
Date: 12 Sep 1997 03:36:05 GMT
Organization: Value Net Internetwork Services Inc.
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Erik Max Francis (max AT alcyone DOT com) wrote:
: 
: Without a code fragment to look at, I can't say what the problem
: actually is, but most likely you're leaving files open as you're
: traversing these directories.  DOS can only have a small number (don't
: recall what the exact number is -- it's specified in config.sys under
: DOS, and not sure where on Windows) of files open at once.

This reminds me that in the special readme for DJGPP's port of TeX, Eli
recommends checking config.sys to be sure that at least 50 files can be
open:

files=50

According to the MS-DOS 6.22 online help, valid values are between 8 and
255, with 8 as the not-so-generous default.

When I got started in 1989, 16-bit DOS programs were already requiring
settings like files=30, and it's no surprise that a 32-bit program (or set
of programs) as complex as TeX might want 50.

Maybe if a program really needs a large number of files open, it might be
prudent to include documentation emphasizing that point, as Eli did with
the TeX port.

Like you, I have no idea how this is handled in Windows.

Most respectfully,

Margo Schulter
mschulter AT value DOT net

(To reply, please remove the extra . in my default address)