[Info-vax] Why does this DIFF command fail, then run fine the 2nd time around?

[Volker Halle]

> Does it also fail on other architectures such as Itanium or x86-64 ? 

If tails in the same way on VSI OpenVMS x86-64 V9.2

It fails in the same way on OpenVMS I64 V8.2

If fails differently on OpenVMS VAX V6.2 and V7.3

CHARON $ diff [.a.to_v53]test.txt  [.b.*]
%DIFF-F-OPENIN, error opening SYS$SYSDEVICE:[ITRC.B.*]TEST.TXT; as input
-RMS-F-DIR, error in directory name

Volker.