Convert Long File Names to Short File Names in Ruby

[Icedmetal57]

So first off I'm not really sure as to where to put this topic seeing how there isn't an actual generic programming board, but that's besides the point.

My question for you guys is...how can I convert a file name to a shorter file name, in a UTF 8.3 format in Ruby?

For example in command prompt/DOS you can type in the command 'dir /x' which will display all the files in the currently opened directory and will show the shortened version of the file names beside the full name. For example when I do that I have a file on my hard drive called 'My Programs' but when I type 'dir /x' it'll then become 'MYPROG~1' so that I can now use that shorter name as a parameter in a command because the longer 'My Programs' version will not work due to the space in it's name.

 

[S S Muu]

I think it will work simply by quoting it.
For example;

dir "My Programs"

Hope it helps :thumb:

 

[Me(tm)]

Actually, XXX~1 means: Look for the first occurrence of a file starting with XXX. Although, I find it hard to believe that spaces don't work in a ruby program.

http://rubyforge.org/docman/view.php/85/365/README.html

ShortPath file method

 

[Icedmetal57]

Well spaces don't work the way I'm using them. Basically opening up a folder and selecting a random program out of it and then running it through this methodology...

system("start file path")

So really I'm just trying to convert what I have, which is basically just a string, to a shorter string, in UTF 8.3 format.

 

[S S Muu]

like I said, quote it,

system("start \"file path\"")

 

[Icedmetal57]

Ah, didn't catch that at first, but yeah it works now, thanks.

 

[S S Muu]

You're welcome, friend!