Windows 2000 track general - Why are the names of files in W2K still in 8.3 format?

Author

Why are the names of files in W2K still in 8.3 format?

Yeti-GBR1

2002-03-05, 12:25 pm

I've been having one of my brainstorm days today and I started looking about in the Windows 2000 system files and there associated names.

It seems strange that they all still using the 8.3 DOS format for a naming convention when the W2K & XP supports long filenames. I realise that an 8.3 format takes up less space than lets say a 20.3 one would, but in this day and age of "Bloat Ware" offered by most sotware development houses and the cheapness of disk space why not use "REALLY MEANINGFUL NAMES" instead of these 8.3 format ones?

Any others ever thought about this? yeah ok I'm sad I know

AndyC

2002-03-05, 12:41 pm

"...yeah ok I'm sad I know..." - I agree

mrfixit

2002-03-05, 12:54 pm

Have a read of this:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...df_fls_zgxb.asp

8.3 format is still around to support "legacy" systems. No other reason. Once we can get rid of all the legacy stuff, then maybe there won't be a need for 8.3.

JMO

Yeti-GBR1

2002-03-05, 1:01 pm

Ok I realise some poor unfortunates can't afford W2k and 32BIT Apps but "GOOD GOD" in this day and age who still uses 16bit apps on W2K?

And why have they not upgraded?.....oh yeah I forgot, there held back by the bean counters and the share holders

not to mention the " I don't like change crowd."

PS. Andy Your even sadder than me...Your tring to be like me!

freak

2002-03-07, 8:32 am

It's called down-level comaptibility

Remember when you install a new DC, one of the questions you get is about being compatible w/ pre-win2k systems...

necrophantasm

2002-03-07, 7:26 pm

Microsoft never wants to lose a customer. If there is one guy out there, who came from the windows 3.1 days (or DOS), who loves his old program from 91 enough that he won't upgrade to XP unless it supports his program, Microsoft won't not include the backwards compatibility for his comfort. People are creatures of habit, and a lot of end users out there dont want to change the way they do things (hell I know its hard for me to get used to each new OS that comes out at first). I know a lot of older people that use explorer for everything (I.E. windows 3.1 days..) where as I came from 95, and only find it useful once in a great while. In order for Microsoft to keep those old customers, they have to keep the compatibility with old styles.. after all, Microsoft can NEVER do anything that would make them lose money, could they?

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