19.2.2.2.3 :UNSPECIFIC as a Component Value

If :unspecific is the value of a pathname component, the component is considered to be ``absent'' or to ``have no meaning'' in the filename being represented by the pathname.

Whether a value of :unspecific is permitted for any component on any given file system accessible to the implementation is implementation-defined. A conforming program must never unconditionally use a :unspecific as the value of a pathname component because such a value is not guaranteed to be permissible in all implementations. However, a conforming program can, if it is careful, successfully manipulate user-supplied data which contains or refers to non-portable pathname components. And certainly a conforming program should be prepared for the possibility that any components of a pathname could be :unspecific.

When reading[1] the value of any pathname component, conforming programs should be prepared for the value to be :unspecific.

When writing[1] the value of any pathname component, the consequences are undefined if :unspecific is given for a pathname in a file system for which it does not make sense.

19.2.2.2.3.1 Relation between component values NIL and :UNSPECIFIC

• PATHNAME-UNSPECIFIC-COMPONENT:NEW-TOKEN