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From: v109lptc@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Mark R Waldmiller)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: Is there a limit on the number of files?
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Date: 13 May 91 02:10:18 GMT
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>In article <10173@castle.ed.ac.uk> crs@castle.ed.ac.uk (C R Smart) writes:
>>
>>Is there a limit to the number of files which the mac can handle?  I
>>have been warned that "funny things" happen when the number of files
>>tops about 700.  I am a bit concerned as I have about 800 files at the
>>moment.
>>
>>Is there a limit?  Was there a limit?  If there is a limit, how to
>>increase it?
> 
>I wouldn't think that there is a limit (I sure hope not as I have 1600+ files
>on my Hard Drive and it is only 1/2 full).  It would seem that the desktop
>file(s) would just continue to grow to hold information as the the number of
>files you have grows.  There is no hardware limitation... to the computer, the
>disk is just a series of blocks and the controller takes care of accessing
>them... the desktop file just tells the controller where to look to get part x
>of file y.

Actually there is a limit.  It arises because the desktop file for the Finder
has its information stored as resources, and there is a limit to the number of
resources any given file can contain without the system crashing.  The limit
on the number of resources is given in one of Apple's tech notes, I can't
remember the exact value but it is approximately 2700.
Since every file on your disk has a few resources the finder uses (such as
its icon, size information, and other such stuff), the actual number of files
you can have on a given volume is about 700 or so.
There are a few solutions to this problem.  First, rebuilding the desktop
file frequently will eliminate unneeded resources and also will improve 
performance.  Note that doing this will loose any text entered in the "Get
Info" box.  Second, you can partition your hard drive into smaller volumes.
I'd recommend 30-40meg volumes.  Third, and last, and I think best, you can
use a file apple distributes with its appleshare disks called Desktop Manager.
After placing this file in your system folder, the Mac will create two invisible
files on the disk for tracking the desktop.  These files do not contain
resources, so you do not run into the problem that the desktop file has.
You should be able to get a copy of the Desktop Manager from an apple dealer
or by asking around.  (If you can't get hold of it any other way, you can
ask me for it.)  Hope this answered your question.  Good luck.

Also, I've heard that this problem is fixed in system 7.0.  Can anyone confirm
this?

						-Mark Waldmiller
..Sorry no .Sig