Naming files – Epson 10020 User Manual

Page 68

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Naming Files

Each file must have a unique filename so you can retrieve it

when you need to. The filename consists of two parts: the name

and the extension (which is optional).

You can choose a name up to eight characters long. Create a

name that identifies the information the file contains. The

name can contain any characters or numbers except for blank
spaces and the following symbols:

* \ / { } : I < > + = ; . ?

The extension is optional and can be up to three characters

long. You can use the extension to further identify a file or to

describe what type of file it is, such as a text file or program file.
When you use an extension, separate it from the filename with

a period. For example, an MS-DOS filename might look like this:

DATA.TXT

Some application programs automatically add extensions to the
files you create. These programs use the extension to determine
whether it is a compatible data file. Avoid using the same
extensions as your application programs. Also, do not use

uppercase and lowercase letters to distinguish between files.
MS-DOS does not recognize the difference and displays all

filenames in uppercase.

Certain extensions are reserved for program files and you must

not use them for your data files. The reserved extensions are

.COM, .EXE, and .BAT. Files with these extensions are also

sometimes called executable files.

The .BAT extension denotes a particular kind of executable

file called a batch file. Batch files can be used to automate
sequences of MS-DOS instructions. Even if you are not a

programmer, you may want to create some batch files to assist

you in your work. A particularly useful kind of batch file, called

an autoexecute batch file (or “AUTOEXEC” file) is discussed

later in this chapter.

Using MS-DOS With Your Computer

3-9

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