A portable file directory system
David R. Hanson · Software Practice and Experience · 1980
Abstract A portable file directory system that provides a machine‐independent method for specifying files is described. The portable directory system, or PDS, facilitates uniform usage of portable software by supplying a standard for file specification. The PDS supports a hierarchical directory structure, similar to that in UNIX and Multics, and a set of primitives for manipulating the structure and preparing files for input/output. While the PDS participates in file specification, it does not participate in the actual i/o; it has no impact on i/o efficiency. The implementation, which is easily extended to include additional capabilities, is described. Experience in using the PDS as a part of command interpreters and preprocessors is also discussed.