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From: andrews@cos.com (Andrew R. Scholnick)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Need help with 'object in use'
Summary: I allways reboot...
Keywords: Z,vi,delete
Message-ID: <15590@cos.com>
Date: 27 Feb 89 13:25:59 GMT
References: <2521@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Corporation for Open Systems, McLean, VA
Lines: 22

In article <2521@ssc-vax.UUCP>, eve@ssc-vax.UUCP (Michael Eve) writes:
> The Manx Z editor creates backup files which it can't overwrite and
> which I can't delete.  When I try 'delete file', I get the message
> 'object in use'.  What does this mean, and how do I get rid of this file?

The 'object in use' message is AmigaDOS' way of telling you that the file has been
left, or for some other reason is currently, in an 'opened' state with write access
used.  In other words, AmigaDOS thinks you are writing into the file from someplace
else (some other task/window).  The problem occurs when files are not properly
closed when a program exits, I am not sure how it happens. 

When it happens to me I usually need to re-boot my machine (C-A-A) to get it to
'close' the file.  Then I can delete it.  (If it happens a lot I make a list of
files and re-boot when I have several to delete at once.)

My personal recommendation is to use the mEmacs editor that comes with 1.3 DOS.  It
is very reliable and after picking up the basics, is easier to use.  I have found Z
to be a buggy and incomplete copy of vi which is more restrictive than helpful most
of the time.  The mEmacs implementation has it's faults also but we are comparing
limitations between bicycles and starships.

ARS.