> > > > > Picking the default too high is a bad idea though; login names are
> > > > > stored in lots of files, e.g. the wtmp, and if you make them
> > > > > ridiculously long you'll waste a lot of space.
> > > >
> > > > Especially if there are hacks fumbling with fixed length records.
> > >
> > > given the nature of some of the files involved, using fixed length
> > > records may be a hack, but it's a hack which allows the files to be
> > > used with some semblance of efficiency.
> >
> > Just a semblance of efficiency, but I would guess that is more the
> > result of someones first program.
>
> Piffle.
>
> Fixed sized records are in all ways easier to use, read, write, and
> buffer than variable-length records, and in this case, ease of use
> translates into code size and efficiency.
>

Add an index for the variable-length records and a garbage collection
routine and you have all you need. Apply a hash code table and searching
for entries is as fast as possible. A better solution is to use a real
database. The code will be more efficient and more system independant.
At the end it will also cost less than all those programs with their
private data access routines.

>
>
> cgd

Henry