Re:
> >     XL="FOO"   warns if not found
> >     XL="-FOO"  quietly ignores if not found
> >     XL="+FOO"  error if not found

> I like the idea in principle, but you may want to use something other than
> "+" and "-". The implication would be that a "+" might mean use the xl list
> supplied and link time and this xl too. A minus might be thought of as use
> the linked xl list except for this xl.

I chose "+" because of the common usage in many search engines as meaning
"I must have this".

> Perhaps some form of parenthetical parameters would be more intuitive,
> although I honestly can't stand the format of ;SELEQ (who's idea was i

You mean like:   XL="FOO,[FOO2],(FOO3)"
(warn, quiet ignore, error, in that order)
(Why?  Because "[]" is used in many syntax diagrams to indicate an
optional item)

I prefer the simpler +/- approach :)

Or...what about a longer, but clearer:

    XL="FOO,FOO1:WARN,FOO2:NOWARN,FOO3:MUST"

where the interpretation is:

   FOO  ... as today (no warn if not found)
   FOO1:WARN ... warn if not found
   FOO2:NOWARN ... quietly ignore if not found (no warn)
   FOO3:MUST   ... abort load if not found

SS
Stan Sieler                                           [log in to unmask]
www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html          www.allegro.com/sieler