free records vs deleted records

[Mike Schwartz]

> Assume one does a lookup for a free record, and it succeeds.  Further
> assume that one does not ever issue a "write lookupname" command.
> 
> Does the record actually get written by default, even with blank records?
> I see blank ones showing up in the keys, but I'm unsure as to how to find
out
> if it's considered "taken/used", or flagged as "deleted" and available for
> reuse in the freechain.
> 
> I'd appreciate insight into this vagary.  Thanks!
> 
> mark->

     Not only does it get written by default without having to do a write,
but it is automatically opened in "protected" mode.  I.E; No need to do a
"lookup free -P".  

     If a record has all blank fields and is "used" it will be in the
automatic indexes.  All you have to do is look at any of your automatic
indexes that are built on "must fill" fields.  If you find blank records at
the top of this sort of automatic index, then filePro considers those
records as used, even if all the fields are blank.   

Mike Schwartz