Re: Referring to different user numbers, user agnostic drive

On Sun, 6 Jul 2025 01:33:38 -0000 (UTC), Peter Kay wrote:

Is it possible to run something from one user number in another? As far
as I'm aware the answer is 'no'[1]. i.e. in 1B: run 1A:SUBMIT

You can use a shell extension such as XCCP or EPEX to achieve this.  It's
a small piece of software that you load which then adds a number of useful
extensions to the normal CP/M CCP.

https://techtinkering.com/articles/xccp-a-shell-extension-for-cpm/
https://techtinkering.com/articles/epex-an-environment-extension-for-cpm/

Although, both of these require CP/M 2.2 so no good for the PCW but maybe
useful for the Kaypro.
 

Has anyone created a drive letter mapping that returns the same contents
regardless of user number?

I can't think of anything that does this, but there are a number of
utilities that ease using user areas.

You can use SD can to list files across all user numbers for a drive using
the $A argument.  For example, to list all the .ASM files, including this
that might be compressed, in all user areas, you could use:
  A> SD *.A?M $A

To do the above across all drives as well you could use:
  A> SD *.A?M $AD


You can also use XCCP, which will provide automatic searching of A0: if
you try to run a command and it isn't found in the current drive and user
number.

EPEX takes this one step further by adding search paths and CP/M 3 comes
with this built-in.


Have fun


Lorry

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DIR Alternatives on CP/M
https://techtinkering.com/articles/dir-alternatives-on-cpm/