Maximum Directory Entries

[Robert Atkinson]

I know there's a maximum number of files you can put on a disk (SHOW DEV x /FULL), but does anyone know if there is a limit on the maximum number of entries in a directory, and how this is calculated?

Cheers, Rob.

[Mobeen_1 · Accepted solution]

Rob,
I don't think there is any such limit...in directory...i have never come across this in my stint in VMS

The only limit on files is on the disk and that is " Maximum files allowed" when you do a sh dev/full

regards
Mobeen

[labadie_1]

the max number of files is related to the /maximum_files and the /header qualifiers of the $ initialize command

I think that a directory, IF Vms has enough room to increase the size of a directory file while being contiguous, does not have a short limit.

See help/message diralloc

You have had this error message recently ?

[Ian Miller.]

max number of files in a directory is usually limited by finding enough contiguous space for the directory file. Large directories are inefficent to access.

Is there a problem you are trying to solve?

[Robert Atkinson]

Nope.

But I do have an appliction, WebReports, that writes all the PDF's to a single directory.

We've only just started rolling it out and there's already 10,000 files in there!

Obviously, for performance reasons, I'm going to have to start breaking this up, but I didn't want to be caught out before getting round to it.

Rob.

[Wim Van den Wyngaert]

Good question.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=nl&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=Pine.LNX.3.96.980511150427.31835N-100000%40irys.stanpol.com.pl&rnum=3&prev=/groups%3Fnum%3D100%26hl%3Dnl%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26as_drrb%3Db%26q%3D%2Bin-a-directory%2Bvms%2B%2522maximum%2Bnumber%2Bof%2B%2522%26btnG%3DZoeken%26as_miny%3D1997%26as_minm%3D5%26as_mind%3D12%26as_maxy%3D2004%26as_maxm%3D7%26as_maxd%3D2

[Mobeen_1]

Rob,
I am sure you would have heard of these too..

Version Limits on files

/MAXIMUM_FILES in init

Since i don't see any option for this while creating a directory, i am assuming that it may not be present (CREATE?DIR)

I would love to see what other people think on these forums.

regards
Mobeen

[Mobeen_1]

Wim,
Thanks for that link :-)

Looks like so far the answers to this question have been in & around whats been discussed in the link posted by you

regards
Mobeen

[Ian Miller.]

Sounds uncomfortable :-)
You may find DFU (V3.0) DIRECTORY commands useful

[Wim Van den Wyngaert]

I started a test.

But I noticed that create fails when someone does a EVE of the directory. Old sickness of VMS ... other threat ...

I'll keep you informed

Wim