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#10: Spaces in file names
Some GHS users have wondered whether they should stay away from including
spaces in file names. The short answer is "no need" - GHS is fully compatible
with any legal Windows file path. For example, you can choose any file you
want when using the File menu dialogs to "Read geometry file", "Run file",
etc., and everything will work smoothly - space or no space in the path.
However, confusion can arise when trying something like the following:
VARIABLE (STRING) FILENAME
SET FILENAME = "ABC DEF"
READ {FILENAME}.GF
...which likely produces a "Path not found" error. But the reason for this
error is that the READ command can combine data from multiple geometry files
delimited by spaces or commas. As presented in the above example, READ thinks
that it should read a file named "ABC" and then combine it with a file named
"DEF.GF". So READ is operating correctly according to its advertised syntax.
There is a simple solution whenever a file variable might contain a space -
just enclose it in quotes! So the following replacement READ line should
work perfectly:
READ "{FILENAME}.GF"
Along these lines, designers of GHS macro libraries need to make a practice
of using quotes safely around variables in all file commands such as READ,
WRITE, COPY, REN, ERASE, IF FEXIST, etc. The issue here isn't really about
support for spaces in file names - it's more about the need to use quotes to be
clear to GHS when you're talking about a single parameter (possibly including
spaces) and when you're talking about multiple parameters separated by spaces.
As such, quote usage can be pretty important in GHS, so Creative Systems has
put some effort into making this as robust and flexible as possible. Using
structures such as the SET QUOTE command introduced in version 10 or by
doubling internal quote marks, it's even possible to store quotes within quotes,
with evaluation of variables containing quote marks handled transparently and
logically.
So be aware that GHS and all its helper programs fully support long file names
including spaces.
If you need help updating your GHS version, contact support@ghsport.com.
Copyright (C) 2011
Creative Systems, Inc.