renaming .dat files [answered]

[a_muses 39]

This has probably been answered elsewhere, but I didn't find it when searching:

 

Can I rename .dat files?

 

For instance, I have mega prop packs I'd like to have ordered alphabetically in my Plugins folder, but sometimes they install as "BSC_MEGA_xyz" and sometimes as "BSC xyz mega prop," and so on, making it hard for me to see if I have, say, all six of someone's mega prop packs.

 

Also, does it matter how I nest my Plugins folder?

 

I remember someone telling me a few years ago that the more nested it was, the longer it would take to load. Clearly there's the aspect that whatever loads last overwrites whatever is loaded first, but apart from that, can I move buildings and dependencies around as I please?

 

Thanks!

[SimCoug 5,972]

Short answer... Yes to the first question, and no to the second.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I think, like you said, how the folders are nested affects loading order, which for most plugins doesn't matter. Only for certain modds does the order matter and those will usually say so in the description or will have installers that put the files in a folder with a "ZZZ" at the beginning of the folder's name, and things like that. So for generic plugins like BATs, it's safe to have whatever organization scheme you'd like.

 

Also, for .dat files, you can not only rename them but I believe you can give them whatever extension you'd like.

[a_muses 39]

Thanks!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I'd be a little careful with changing extensions in a Windows system.  There used to be a rather heavy dependence in the system on these.  I am not sure they've ever gotten over it.