BR Forum

Do most people using the "DR" shortcut to drop files? I can't say that ever "DROP" files anymore, but maybe others do? If this shortcut is not in use by anyone, I'd love to add to a wishlist (if one exists) the REMOVAL of the shortcut "DR" and force the entire word "DROP" to be used when the intention is to actually drop files.

I just killed my entire data directory with one simple typo. I was doing a DIR of the folder, and obviously did not type the "I" in DIR hard enough (I have long finger nails and don't always hit the keys straight on). So I just lost all of my data files in one short command and now I have to go back and try to recreate them from a backup. Thankfully, I have one.

Maybe I'm the only one to have ever done this, but it seems that "DR" is a pretty dangerous shortcut since it IS so close to DIR.

-- Susan

We use the Free command to delete files instead of Drop.
I can support what Philip is proposing.
If a typo causes unintentional results, because of the abbreviations - then it may be time to reconsider the abbreviations.

Hi Doug,

I don't think I have EVER used DROP - since the beginning of BR/WB. It was a rude awakening when I discovered exactly what it does (and very fast, I might add!) due to my unfortunate typo of DR instead of DIR.

I know it was my own fault, but sheesh - are we so lazy or pressed for time that we can't type DROP instead of DR?

-- Susan

Personally I would vote for dropping ALL abbreviations across the board. I know I will hear groans. If you need abbreviations then get one of the key replacement programs that does it for you. I don't need it in my code.

Just me .02 cents

Steve

Susan Smith wrote:Hi Doug,

I don't think I have EVER used DROP - since the beginning of BR/WB. It was a rude awakening when I discovered exactly what it does (and very fast, I might add!) due to my unfortunate typo of DR instead of DIR.

I know it was my own fault, but sheesh - are we so lazy or pressed for time that we can't type DROP instead of DR?

-- Susan

I know it would mean some changes in our code (we used "sy" and "sys" a ton) but I agree. With auto-completion in editors these days the old abbreviations are obsolete and can make for unclear code.

I would vote for dropping ALL abbreviations also.



FNGeorge

For the dangerous commands such as FREE and DROP it would be great to get the message of "Are you really sure you want to do this?". These could have the option such as FREE [nr] or DROP [nr] in order to use them within a program without generating a response message. [nm]=No Reponse. Otherwise the other command are easily recoverable. Even RMDIR won't remove the directory if there is something in it. There are only about 35 commands of which 18 consist of 4 or less characters. I don't see a lot of key strokes being saved. It's not like BR will be less "green" by saving a keyboard.

Pete

Good point Pete.

PJKLUG wrote:For the dangerous commands such as FREE and DROP it would be great to get the message of "Are you really sure you want to do this?". These could have the option such as FREE [nr] or DROP [nr] in order to use them within a program without generating a response message. [nm]=No Reponse. Otherwise the other command are easily recoverable. Even RMDIR won't remove the directory if there is something in it. There are only about 35 commands of which 18 consist of 4 or less characters. I don't see a lot of key strokes being saved. It's not like BR will be less "green" by saving a keyboard.

Pete

I don't think we should drop EVERY abbreviation because I use abbreviations a lot. Its not about the time saved from not typing the extra letters, but its about the time lost when I have to train my fingers to not use the abbreviations anymore.

However, we should surely drop the abbreviation for DROP because DR is WAY to close to DIR, and the abbreviation for FREE because F is only 1 letter long.

I think the way it should work is abbreviations should still be accepted from code (using the EXECUTE command) in order to keep backwards compatability, in case we have old programs that use the abbreviations. But when freeing or dropping files from the command console, the entire word should be typed.


By the way, I do still drop files. I found a useful application for DROP just a few days ago, when writing a report that uses a temporary data file to store the output where it can be displayed in a listview on the screen, and optionally printed using a print button. My report "DROP"s the old contents of the temp file before beginning to repopulate it.

Gabriel

Susan Smith wrote:Do most people using the "DR" shortcut to drop files? I can't say that ever "DROP" files anymore, but maybe others do? If this shortcut is not in use by anyone, I'd love to add to a wishlist (if one exists) the REMOVAL of the shortcut "DR" and force the entire word "DROP" to be used when the intention is to actually drop files.

I just killed my entire data directory with one simple typo. I was doing a DIR of the folder, and obviously did not type the "I" in DIR hard enough (I have long finger nails and don't always hit the keys straight on). So I just lost all of my data files in one short command and now I have to go back and try to recreate them from a backup. Thankfully, I have one.

Maybe I'm the only one to have ever done this, but it seems that "DR" is a pretty dangerous shortcut since it IS so close to DIR.

-- Susan

I very commonly use
PR F and N

oh wait F is not just for FREE, but also for FIELDS in PRINT FIELDS. creepy.