>> 1.    Dim memory assures me that MSDOS had (has) a data-path 
>> command
>> that would allow data to be referenced by filename without a path
>> specifier if it was anywhere on the data path. ie just as

> However, DOS (i.e. IBMDOS.SYS / MSDOS.SYS) does *NOT* search
> the path when an application opens a file.

That was my point - SOMETHING allows you to do just what you said it 
doesn't do. That's what I'm looking for. I know what DOS *USUALLY* 
doesn't do. I'm looking for the feature that  changes the 'normal' 
rules.

> So, if your program tries to
> open the file "MYDATA.DAT", the DOS call will try to do so from the
> current directory, not the current directory plus the directories 
> specified
> in the PATH.

Which is eactly the opposite for data purposes to the feature I'm 
looking for.

>> Such a capability is extremely dangerous, and also sometimes 
>> useful.

I can't imagine what people can think I mean by the above line, given 
the answers I'm getting :-).

> Another fun (and useful!) command is SUBST, where a drive letter may
> be used to substitute for a path.  i.e.
>   SUBST Q: C:\MYAPP\DATADIR
> will access the directory C:\MYAPP\DATADIR whenever Q: is used.

***BUT*** SUBST will not work over a network path, which is what I 
explictly want the feature to do.



        RM

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