Actually, under Windows (well, WinNT/Win2K), flock is mandatory unlike under Unix where it is advisory. This means that flock()ing a file prevents any other file handle (even from within the same process) from accessing the file. So you don't need the other programs to also use flock like you would under Unix. Not that this is really an improvement, just another difference to worry about (and a disadvantage in some cases).

        - tye (but my friends call me "Tye")