Size Zero?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CWLee
  • Start date Start date
C

CWLee

From time to time I look through my various directories, and
sometimes see a file with a non-descriptive name, such as
J4833M3 and the size column shows 0. Is it always safe to
delete such files of size zero? Could some of them be
"place holders" that must be there for some operations and
which are emptied at the end of those (perhaps unseen)
operations?

I'm using W-2000/pro.

Thanks.
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CWLee
"I appreciate those who walk out from the edges with
torches or even in the dark with their hands out in front
of them. We need those explorers and weirdos. I am
so grateful when I find that I am not the first." - Sally
Amsbury.
 
They can *probably* be deleted. Best way to find out is to rename the file
and see if anything bad happens :)

Sometimes zero byte files are created and used as "semaphore" files by
certain programs. Internally, the program is written to check for the
existence of these files, if they exist (or don't!) the program will branch
different directions. However, if so, the program will normally also
auto-create them when needed. Sometimes programs are not too good at
cleaning up their leftovers. Especially if a hang occurs and you have to
hard-reboot the machine.

-Frank
 
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