PRB: Output from SourceSafe Command Lines may be Truncated

• Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, 32-bit, for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 5.00
• Microsoft SourceSafe for Windows, versions 3.04, 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When using certain combinations of the SourceSafe Command line to display information, filenames may appear truncated. This will occur if the filename being displayed is greater than 19 characters in length.

CAUSE

It may be desirable to redirect or print the output from certain SourceSafe Command lines. To ensure that this output appears in a presentable format, long filenames may be truncated to maintain an even columnar layout.

RESOLUTION

The above truncation will appear only against files that are checked out. Files containing greater than 19 characters that are not checked out will have their entire filename displayed.

As an alternative, you can instruct SourceSafe to display filenames in their 8.3 DOS format. This option will display the entire DOS filename. For example, running the Command line:

   SS DIR -E -NS

NOTE: When using short filenames in SourceSafe, you may combine the -NS switch with other Command line options, such as ADD, CHECKIN, and CHECKOUT.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Create or locate a file whose name contains more than 19 characters.

2. Run or switch to SourceSafe and add the file from step 1 to the root project ($/).

3. Check out the file, and then Close SourceSafe.

4. Open a DOS window.

5. If you are running Visual SourceSafe, switch to the VSS\WIN32. Otherwise, switch to the SS\WINNT directory.

6. Enter the following SourceSafe Command line:

   SS DIR -E

   Note that the first 19 characters of the added file are displayed while the remaining characters are truncated. This same effect is visible from other SourceSafe commands such as:

   SS STATUS