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Last update: 10 April,2001

                                                                1003.1-90 #36
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	Interpretation Number:	(to be assigned by the IEEE)
	Topic:			ENAMETOOLONG
	Relevant Sections:	5.3.1.4
	Classification:		No Change required.


Interpretation Request: (Defect Report)
-----------------------
Section 5.3.1.4 open() Errors - ENAMETOOLONG addresses the cases
where the path argument exceeds the PATH_MAX limit. If the path
argument does not start with a slash, path name resolution (as defined
in section 2.3.6) can generate a path name that exceeds the system
limit. Is ENAMETOOLONG also required?

(Paul Wanish IBM)

IEEE Interpretation for 1003.1-1990 (9945-1:1990):
--------------------------------------------------

No, the ENAMETOLONG error condition is not required for this case.

Rationale for Interpretation:
-----------------------------
The [ENAMETOOLONG] error condition refers to pathname arguments supplied
to the implementation, not to any pathnames that might be internally
generated by the implementation. Thus there is no requirement than
an implementation fail if the length of such an implementation generated
pathname exceeds PATH_MAX.
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