Since posting my original query, I've been corrected--V7 and older systems
treat a null file name as the current directory; Sys III treats it as a
nonexistent file. But I'm still curious about the reason for "" meaning
the current directory.
--
Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086
...I'm not cynical - just experienced.