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#1
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How to create relative file paths
I know that XP accepts many file path naming conventions other than a full
absolute file path such as "C:\program files\microsoft office\documents\file.doc", and etc. I have seen a variety of shorthand methods for naming file paths and some that appear to be relative file paths that reference a child folder, or parent folder, or perhaps no folder at all if the file being referenced is in the same folder as the application that uses it. This would seem to be an absolute necessity, for the sake of portability from one machine to another, where a file that references or is referenced by another file may be located somewhere other than in its original location. Some of the formats I have seen are things like "\\localhost\foldername", "...\filename", or "\\foldername\\filename" and etc. Where can I find detailed information such as formats, purpose, when to use which one, foward slash or back slash, single slash or double slash, and the like regarding path naming conventions? -- 2dogs in Oregon USA |
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#2
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There are Universal Naming Conventions (UNC) such as in your example....see here --
Universal Naming Convention: http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/guidunc.htm and there is "abbreviated" syntax (environmental variables) that can be used in certain commands, though this is different from what you refer to in your example -- Environment Variables: http://home.earthlink.net/~rlively/M.../ENV/INDEX.HTM -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/communities...t/default.mspx "2dogs" wrote in message ... I know that XP accepts many file path naming conventions other than a full absolute file path such as "C:\program files\microsoft office\documents\file.doc", and etc. I have seen a variety of shorthand methods for naming file paths and some that appear to be relative file paths that reference a child folder, or parent folder, or perhaps no folder at all if the file being referenced is in the same folder as the application that uses it. This would seem to be an absolute necessity, for the sake of portability from one machine to another, where a file that references or is referenced by another file may be located somewhere other than in its original location. Some of the formats I have seen are things like "\\localhost\foldername", "...\filename", or "\\foldername\\filename" and etc. Where can I find detailed information such as formats, purpose, when to use which one, foward slash or back slash, single slash or double slash, and the like regarding path naming conventions? -- 2dogs in Oregon USA |
#3
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Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other than the
default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! "glee" wrote in message There are Universal Naming Conventions (UNC) such as in your example....see here -- Universal Naming Convention: http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/guidunc.htm and there is "abbreviated" syntax (environmental variables) that can be used in certain commands, though this is different from what you refer to in your example -- Environment Variables: http://home.earthlink.net/~rlively/M.../ENV/INDEX.HTM "2dogs" wrote in message ... I know that XP accepts many file path naming conventions other than a full absolute file path such as "C:\program files\microsoft office\documents\file.doc", and etc. I have seen a variety of shorthand methods for naming file paths and some that appear to be relative file paths that reference a child folder, or parent folder, or perhaps no folder at all if the file being referenced is in the same folder as the application that uses it. This would seem to be an absolute necessity, for the sake of portability from one machine to another, where a file that references or is referenced by another file may be located somewhere other than in its original location. Some of the formats I have seen are things like "\\localhost\foldername", "...\filename", or "\\foldername\\filename" and etc. Where can I find detailed information such as formats, purpose, when to use which one, foward slash or back slash, single slash or double slash, and the like regarding path naming conventions? -- 2dogs in Oregon USA |
#5
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Cymbal Man Freq. wrote:
Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other than the default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! Wouldn't help.. Environment variables contain your system directory and much more.. Open a CMD prompt and type in: SET and press ENTER. See the environement variables that can be accessed by any running application? -- =- Shenan -= =- MS MVP -= -- The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not dismiss them lightly. |
#6
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Wow, you guys are somewhere else. My question is about how to create relative
file paths (for lack of better terminology) and shorthand methods for naming paths between files and folders. I didn't think it had anything to do with navigating a network, trying to outsmart spyware, what directory I should install programs in, or encryption. Let me try to give a simple example: I have 2 folders. (not really, but lets pretend OK) Here are their absolute locations: Folder 1 is at location C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1 Folder 2 is at location C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\folder2 I also have 3 files. (not really, but lets pretend again OK) Here are their absolute path names: File 1 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\main file File 2 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\sub file File 3 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\folder2\image In File 1 there is a reference to File 2 that is in the same folder. File 1 refers to File 2 by using the absolute path name to File 2. In File 1 there is also a reference to File 3 that is in a folder that is 1 level farther down in the directory tree. File 1 refers to File 3 by using the absolute path name to File 3. I send the 2 folders (folder1 with folder2 inside it) to Bill (don't worry about who Bill is because we are still pretending OK). Bill puts the folders in his personal folder on his D: drive. So now the paths to the folders a D:\Bill\Personal Folder\folder1 D:\Bill\Personal Folder\folder1\folder2 When Bill opens the files and tries to use them they will not work because all the references in those files point to locations that no longer exist. That is because the references were absolute file paths that point to a location on 2dogs C: drive. There are methods for giving references using relative path names instead of absolute path names and also methods for abbreviating path names both relative and absolute. I Can't give better examples because I don't know anymore about the subject. I have queried the Microsoft DB for hours and have found nothing on this subject. These techniques must be documented somewhere. My question is; Where? -- 2dogs in Oregon USA |
#7
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Replied inline.....
"2dogs" wrote in message ... Wow, you guys are somewhere else. My question is about how to create relative file paths (for lack of better terminology) and shorthand methods for naming paths between files and folders. I didn't think it had anything to do with navigating a network, trying to outsmart spyware, what directory I should install programs in, or encryption. Wow, why did you use an example of UNC ("\\localhost\foldername") when you aren't referring to a network? You sort of got what you asked for. ;-) Let me try to give a simple example: I have 2 folders. (not really, but lets pretend OK) OK Here are their absolute locations: Folder 1 is at location C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1 Folder 2 is at location C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\folder2 SF,SG I also have 3 files. (not really, but lets pretend again OK) Here are their absolute path names: File 1 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\main file File 2 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\sub file File 3 is C:\2dogs\my documents\folder1\folder2\image OK.... In File 1 there is a reference to File 2 that is in the same folder. File 1 refers to File 2 by using the absolute path name to File 2. In File 1 there is also a reference to File 3 that is in a folder that is 1 level farther down in the directory tree. File 1 refers to File 3 by using the absolute path name to File 3. It depends what kind of file File1 is, which contains the "references" to File2 and File3. If it is an HTML file, you use HTML syntax to write the references, either using absolute or relative paths. What filetype is File1? I send the 2 folders (folder1 with folder2 inside it) to Bill (don't worry about who Bill is because we are still pretending OK). Bill puts the folders in his personal folder on his D: drive. So now the paths to the folders a D:\Bill\Personal Folder\folder1 D:\Bill\Personal Folder\folder1\folder2 When Bill opens the files and tries to use them they will not work because all the references in those files point to locations that no longer exist. That is because the references were absolute file paths that point to a location on 2dogs C: drive. Again, if it is an HTML file, you use relative paths per the syntax used in HTML. What is the filetype of File1? There are methods for giving references using relative path names instead of absolute path names and also methods for abbreviating path names both relative and absolute. I Can't give better examples because I don't know anymore about the subject. I have queried the Microsoft DB for hours and have found nothing on this subject. These techniques must be documented somewhere. My question is; Where? Depends on what filetype you are using, as I said redundantly above. :-) Depending on the filetype, you probably need to ask in a group dedicated to programs that use that filetype. (HTML? Word doc? RTF? Database file?) -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/communities...t/default.mspx |
#8
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ERROR:
Cannot find the file "set" (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available. "Shenan Stanley" wrote in message Cymbal Man Freq. wrote: Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other than the default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! Wouldn't help.. Environment variables contain your system directory and much more.. Open a CMD prompt and type in: SET and press ENTER. See the environement variables that can be accessed by any running application? -- =- Shenan -= =- MS MVP -= |
#9
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Sure you typed it in a command prompt?
--=20 ---------------------------------------------------------- "Cymbal Man Freq." Don't g wrote in = message ... ERROR: Cannot find the file "set" (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required = libraries are available. =20 "Shenan Stanley" wrote in message Cymbal Man Freq. wrote: Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other = than the default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing = into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just = slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! Wouldn't help.. Environment variables contain your system directory and much more.. Open a CMD prompt and type in: SET and press ENTER. See the environement variables that can be accessed by any running application? -- =3D- Shenan -=3D =3D- MS MVP -=3D =20 |
#10
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Cymbal Man Freq. wrote:
Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other than the default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! Shenan Stanley wrote: Wouldn't help.. Environment variables contain your system directory and much more.. Open a CMD prompt and type in: SET and press ENTER. See the environement variables that can be accessed by any running application? Cymbal Man Freq. wrote: ERROR: Cannot find the file "set" (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available. Please follow the directions given... The results you received are due to you typing "SET" in the START -- RUN prompt, not the CMD prompt. If you want to get the results straight from the START -- RUN prompt, you can type this: CMD /K SET Click OK. (If you type just "CMD", you receive a "Command Prompt"; if you typed just "COMMAND", you receive a "Command Prompt". Both of these are DOS Emulators really - as there is no DOS environment in Windows XP. the "CMD" version gives you more options/tools/long filenames/etc.) Read more about the Command Prompt: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...mmandline.mspx Examples of Environment Variables: http://kennethhunt.com/archives/000933.html (Notice "SystemRoot"..) -- =- Shenan -= =- MS MVP -= -- The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not dismiss them lightly. |
#11
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Cmd is not a Dos emulator. Command is also not a dos emulator but =
requires it to run. The black screen that both use is also not Dos but = is a console window. Any console program can use it. --=20 ---------------------------------------------------------- "Shenan Stanley" wrote in message = ... Cymbal Man Freq. wrote: Maybe when installing Windows, installing into a directory other than the default Windows folder would be appropriate? Say, installing into the "WindowsC" folder instead of the "Windows" folder, just slightly altering the name of the folder so that the spyware junk out there won't find the "Windows" folder flat-out; you could create a dummy folder called "Windows" for all the spyware to find nothing in it. We may need to encrypt the name of the Windows folder so the spyware junk won't find it! =20 Shenan Stanley wrote: Wouldn't help.. Environment variables contain your system directory and much more.. Open a CMD prompt and type in: SET and press ENTER. See the environement variables that can be accessed by any running application? =20 Cymbal Man Freq. wrote: ERROR: Cannot find the file "set" (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available. =20 Please follow the directions given... The results you received are = due to=20 you typing "SET" in the START -- RUN prompt, not the CMD prompt. =20 If you want to get the results straight from the START -- RUN prompt, = you=20 can type this: =20 CMD /K SET =20 Click OK. =20 (If you type just "CMD", you receive a "Command Prompt"; if you typed = just=20 "COMMAND", you receive a "Command Prompt". Both of these are DOS = Emulators=20 really - as there is no DOS environment in Windows XP. the "CMD" = version=20 gives you more options/tools/long filenames/etc.) =20 Read more about the Command Prompt: = http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...nmore/ballew_= commandline.mspx =20 Examples of Environment Variables: http://kennethhunt.com/archives/000933.html (Notice "SystemRoot"..) =20 --=20 =3D- Shenan -=3D =3D- MS MVP -=3D --=20 The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your = actions/problems/solutions. Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not = dismiss them lightly.=20 =20 |
#12
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David Candy wrote:
Cmd is not a Dos emulator. Command is also not a dos emulator but requires it to run. The black screen that both use is also not Dos but is a console window. Any console program can use it. My bad on the wording.. "command interpreter" would have been the proper terminolgy. *smile* Thanks! -- =- Shenan -= =- MS MVP -= -- The information above is intended to assist you; however, it is suggested you research for yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Whenever possible, the advice will include the method/places used in compiling the answer. Also, questions may have been asked to clarify your situation OR to give you an idea of where to look - do not dismiss them lightly. |
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