ON Thu, Jan 10, 2002 at 02:34:54PM -0600, Dave Sherohman wrote: > You're assuming that only reads are cached. For most OS file system > caches, this assumption is incorrect. Write file once (to cache > pending disk write), read file once (from cache, may or may not have > made it onto disk), delete file (from cache, possible pending delete > from disk if it ever got written for real). Like Nate said, as fast > as a ramdisk and not as dangerous, even though the file isn't being > hit repeatedly. That's certainly possible, although it doesn't explain Jay's reported performance increase. Maybe his buffer cache (<--term?) was just set too low. I've read conflicting accounts on the subject. For the record, though, I recommend using RAM disks only for entertainment purposes, and only where permitted by state and local authorities. -- Michael