How to reference a file named prn.c?

[Bill Cohagan]

Is there *any* way in Windows to deal with a file whose name is
prn.<something> (or con.<something> ...) in Windows? We've got some source
files that include some of these; e.g., prn.c, and unfortunately simply
changing the file name(s) is a major problem. These files normally live on a
Linux system so the "special" names aren't so special.

So is there any way to "escape" a file name so that Windows won't complain
(or not recognize) such files? Any other solution that doesn't involve
renaming the file?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Is there *any* way in Windows to deal with a file whose name is
prn.<something> (or con.<something> ...) in Windows? We've got some source
files that include some of these; e.g., prn.c, and unfortunately simply
changing the file name(s) is a major problem. These files normally live on a
Linux system so the "special" names aren't so special.

So is there any way to "escape" a file name so that Windows won't complain
(or not recognize) such files? Any other solution that doesn't involve
renaming the file?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

These names are reserved names under Windows. You will have to
rename the files to acceptable names. Use this syntax for the renaming
action:

ren \\.\c:\LPT1.txt Something.txt

 

[Ayush]

Pegasus gave you the way, if you want to know more about it :
http://mjsabby.com/2005/10/windows-xp-con-folderfile-bug.php

--

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

For any query, search > www.Google.com
Want to know about a term > http://en.wikipedia.org

Replied To :
-------------------------------------------------------------

: Is there *any* way in Windows to deal with a file whose name is
: prn.<something> (or con.<something> ...) in Windows? We've got some source
: files that include some of these; e.g., prn.c, and unfortunately simply
: changing the file name(s) is a major problem. These files normally live on a
: Linux system so the "special" names aren't so special.
:
: So is there any way to "escape" a file name so that Windows won't complain
: (or not recognize) such files? Any other solution that doesn't involve
: renaming the file?
:
: Thanks in advance,
: Bill
:
:

 

[Bill Cohagan]

Yes, I understand that they are reserved names under Windows. What I was
hoping was that there might be a way to escape the names so that the file
system would accept them. It is unfortunate that Windows apparently doesn't
provide any sort of workaround. As I said, for us renaming the files is not
a good option.

Thanks for the response.

Bill

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

The syntax I gave you ***is*** a work-around but not
one that is recommended.

 

[Bill Cohagan]

As I said, we are not at liberty to change the file names; hence my wish for
a different workaround. It appears however that none exists.

Bill

 

[Bill Cohagan]

Well, it's a workaround except for the renaming part which, as I said, is
not available to us. In any case thanks for the response. It's pretty
interesting that you can use UNC to trick WinXP!

Bill