Renaming files

[wumply]

Sometimes a program is not working or some part of it is not. And sometimes when searching for a way to get it working, I run across the suggestion rename the suspected file "filename.old"

What's the logic behind this? How can this correct certain problems?

[Dehcbad25]

I can't find much logic, except for 3 cases:
1) the file is generated by the program (ex. databases) doing so will tell the program the file is not there anymore and it will generate a clean file/database. I had done that before. Mainly with Access databases
2) The program will look for the file and when it doesn't find it it will give you a error with the specific file, so you can get a clean copy. This actually doesn't have much sence since you were the one that changed the file.
3) if you are upgradingreplacing the file, but want to leave a copy just in case. I actually up filename.bkp (Backup) so I know it is the previous file

[wumply]

Thanks, David. Helpful answer. wumply