Load first n files from import list

[Bill]

I would like to be able to import only the first, say, 1000 files from importListFromBootOptimize().
Also, it would be nice to be able to filter the list before selecting the files, e.g. import first 1000 files in Windows directory or modified date before a certain time.

[Darlis]

There is (currently) no way to only import a certain amount of files, but you can filter the files from this list:

  # Select files from MyFile.txt which have not changed in the last 10 days and which are in the ?:\Windows folder
  ImportListFromFile("MyFile.txt")
    and LastChange( , 10 days ago)
    and DirectoryPath("?:\Windows")

If you refer to the layout.ini, note that also files at other locations are important, for example files in the Users directory.

[Bill]

Thanks for replying.

Yes I'm referring to the layout.ini file. I want to be able to, say, within the set of files from the list modified a month ago, select first 1000 files from Windows directory, first 100 files from Users directory, etc.
Or maybe, instead of individual file entries, it could load consecutive file entries within a (leaf/last) directory, because the files are usually in "local" groups based on that leaf directory.
So I could say select first 20 groups (i.e. a group is a list of consecutive files entries that are in the same leaf directory) from Windows directory, first 10 groups from Users directory, etc

The example you gave would select some less useful files in the Windows directory that are low on the layout.ini list.

[Darlis]

Or maybe, instead of individual file entries, it could load consecutive file entries within a (leaf/last) directory, because the files are usually in "local" groups based on that leaf directory.

That is possible with a DirectoryPath filter. If you then use SortByImportSequence(ascending), these files will exactly be placed as they appear in the list.

But I still don't understand why you want to select a certain amount of files from a list.

[Bill]

But I still don't understand why you want to select a certain amount of files from a list.

I'm making the assumption that the first set of file entries in the layout.ini file are needed for boot-up. The next set of entries are those used for loading start-up programs. Then next set of entries are applications I use regularly.
I would like to place all those entries at the beginning of the disk since they would significantly improve system responsiveness.
The last set of entries are programs I use occasionally so I don't need them in that zone.

In any case, I've managed to make a robust system disk script that seems to do well enough even without this feature.
So if this feature is difficult to implement then don't worry about it.

[jeroen]

I would like to be able to import only the first, say, 1000 files from importListFromBootOptimize().

Thanks for sharing your idea, I appreciate it. I have had it on my wishlist for some time now to add something to the syntax for that. I would like it to be more flexible than only for importListFromBootOptimize(), though. I am thinking of a First() and Last() function that would take a number, a sort selector, and a fileboolean expression. This would then simultaneously make your second suggestion possible.

[Darlis]

I'm making the assumption that the first set of file entries in the layout.ini file are needed for boot-up. The next set of entries are those used for loading start-up programs. Then next set of entries are applications I use regularly.

But you can't exactly say where the boot files end and the program files start. This would be especially problematic if you want to make a general script for different Windows installations.

Maybe you should take a look at the ImportListFromProgramHints file boolean. This is what I use for optimizing my programs (my priority is not on boot optimizing).