02 May 2009, 13:18

Linux: long file names can be disabled in VFAT

A new patch to the VFAT filing system in the Linux kernel adds an option to disable the creation of files with long file names. If this option, CONFIG_VFAT_NO_CREATE_WITH_LONGNAMES, is activated when the kernel is compiled, the system will still be able to access files with names going beyond the traditional 8.3 pattern, but will not be able to create them.

The patch was created by Andrew Tridgell, creator of Samba. Discussions following the patch's announcement mention that the patch would be appropriate for devices that can read files with long names but can't create them, such as digital cameras and media players. During the discussion the patch was updated to make it more robust. The change is most probably a response to the patent dispute between Microsoft and TomTom, which is now settled.

(djwm)

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