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From: robp@amiga.UUCP (Robert A. Peck)
Newsgroups: net.micro.amiga
Subject: Re: FASTDIR (not a substitute, but a supplement for AmigaDOS 'DIR')
Message-ID: <1146@amiga.amiga.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-May-86 20:08:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: amiga.1146
Posted: Mon May 12 20:08:47 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 14-May-86 19:35:35 EDT
References: <13147@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Reply-To: robp@dudley.UUCP (Robert A. Peck)
Followup-To: Questions re slow DIR command
Distribution: net
Organization: Commodore-Amiga Inc., 983 University Ave #D, Los Gatos CA 95030
Lines: 50
Keywords: FASTDIR
Summary: For multi-file directories, produces/maintains a ".dir" file

I've posted to net.sources a shar archive for FASTDIR.   Here is an
extract from its doc.file:

/* Fastdir was designed to be a faster implementation of the "DIR" command
 * for directories that have a large number of items in them, such as c:
 *
 * It is implemented as follows:
 *
 *      command:  FASTDIR
 *      or        FASTDIR <pathname>
 *
 * If there is a file by the name ".dir" in the selected or current path
 * name, fastdir checks the creation date of this .dir file (stored as the
 * first line in the file itself) against the modification date of its
 * parent directory.  If they match exactly, it means that ".dir" contains
 * the (near) equivalent of somebody doing a command "DIR > .dir" within this
 * directory.  If the creation/modification dates don't match, fastdir
 * attempts to create such a file.  After either finding or creating
 * this file, it copies ".dir" to the standard output.
 *
 * Fastdir does not implement the "OPT" option.
 *
 * Fastdir modifies the DIR output slightly in that directories are NOT
 * listed separately, but are merged alphabetically into the normal
 * sorted alpha listing, still marked " (dir)" as they should be marked.
 *
 */

 
DISCLAIMER:
 
        This program is provided as a service to the programmer
        community to demonstrate one or more features of the Amiga
        personal computer.  These code samples may be freely used
        for commercial or noncommercial purposes.
 
        Commodore Electronics, Ltd ("Commodore") makes no
        warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect
        to the program described herein, its quality, performance,
        merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
        This program is provided "as is" and the entire risk
        as to its quality and performance is with the user.
        Should the program prove defective following its
        purchase, the user (and not the creator of the program,
        Commodore, their distributors or their retailers)
        assumes the entire cost of all consequent damages. 

Hope this helps.

robp.