Defect Report concerning: IEEE Std. 1003.1-1996, ISO/IEC 9945-1:1996 - C API
Clause: 2.4
PASC Interpretation Ref: pasc-1003.1-57
Topic: ENAMETOOLONG

This is an unapproved interpretation of PASC 1003.1-1996, ISO/IEC 9945-1:1996 - C API.

Use of the information contained in this unapproved document is at your own risk.

Last update: 10 April,2001 

                                                                1003.1-90 #57
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	Interpretation Number:	(to be assigned by the IEEE)
	Topic:			ENAMETOOLONG
	Relevant Sections:	2.4
	Classification:		No Change required.


Interpretation Request: (Defect Report)
-----------------------

Can a pathname be shortened by normal pathname resolution
prior to checking for ENAMETOOLONG?

X/Open proposes that it does not. It is our opinion that
POSIX.1-1990 requires the ENAMETOOLONG error when the length
of a pathname argument exceeds {PATH_MAX}.  It says nothing
about the length "after pathname resolution", but refers
explicitly to the contents of the argument.

(X/OPEN)

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

No.

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.
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