<?> at End of Response String Has Same Effect as <Ignore>

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

<?> and <ignore> are macros that can be used in response strings in MODEM.INF and PAD.INF, and potentially in SWITCH.INF.

The macro <?> means to match any single character, and <ignore> means to match any remaining characters in the line; that is, ignore the rest of the string from this point on.

When <?> occurs at the end of a line, however, it matches not just a single character, but any number of following characters, which achieves the same effect as <ignore>.

For example, "River's en<?>" matches the following:

   River's end
   River's ent
   River's end.
   River's entire length of many miles.

CAUSE

There is a problem in the software that implements the macros.

WORKAROUND

Even though these macros work similarly, it is a good idea to use them as they were intended to work so that when the problem is corrected, you will have the correct macros in place.

REFERENCES

Windows NT Advanced Server Remote Access Service "Administrator's Guide," version 3.1, Appendix E