[Info-vax] Unexpected error using ZIP for OpenVMS

[Steven Schweda]

> It says the record is too large. Why should it be
> unexpected that there's a limit to something?

   Well, duh.  The problem is not that _some_ limit exists.
The problem is that this (unexpected) limit exists.

>  VMS has limits: 8 levels of subdirectories,

      alp $ create /directory /log [sms.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10]
      %CREATE-I-CREATED, ALP$DKC0:[SMS.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10] created

>  32767 versions of a file, and
> isn't there a limit on how long a record can be?

   In some contexts, there may be a limit on record length.
Why should this be one of them?

>  EDT is
> limited to lines of lest than 256 records, and limited to
> something like 65536 records or similar. 39 chars in an ODS-2
> file name or file type. All the limits in a user's
> authorization record. So why not a record too long for Zip?

   I'll bite.  Why should the same data in a file with no
record delimiters cause no trouble if it's Record format:
Stream_LF, but this problem if it's Record format: Stream or
Stream_CR?

> Hey, it's not my fault if you can't explain it clearly.

   Right.  A Web search for:
      parker horticulture
leads to a quotation which leaps to mind here.

   On second thought, forget the whole thing.  You're right,
it's a complete miracle when any computer program does
anything useful, so every program failure should be expected.
I was being unforgivably obtuse to suggest otherwise.