I didn't even think that output to $NULL did a file open, I always assumed
that the system understood $NULL to be just
that...$NULL...NADDA...ZILCH....NOTHING, and to not open/write/read any
file.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stan Sieler [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 8:11 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Linkedit (was: Determine compilation / link in exe
> cutable              pas cal program)
>
> Re:
> > > > Method 1:  purge file >$null
> > > > Method 2:  setvar save_msgfence hpmsgfence
> ...
> > > > So, surprisingly, IO redirection, even to $NULL, is slower than
> > > > three setvars.
> >
> > OK, maybe I'm stupid: why is this a surprise? I would expect "don't
> generate output" to be faster than "generate, then throw away, output".
>
> Probably because method 2 doesn't do a file open / file close.
>
> Stan Sieler                                           [log in to unmask]
> www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html          www.allegro.com/sieler
>
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