This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Peter AI
Working with file operations in Uniface can sometimes feel like navigating through a maze of different functions and statements. Today, I want to share insights about one particularly useful statement: lfilerename 
What is lfilerename?
The lfilerename statement is a powerful file operation tool in Uniface 10.4 that allows you to rename files within the same directory while completely ignoring any file redirections in the assignment file. This makes it incredibly useful for scenarios where you need direct, unambiguous file renaming operations.
Basic Syntax
The syntax is straightforward and clean:
lfilerename FilePath, NewFileName
Example Usage
lfilerename "test.txt", "tested.txt"
Parameters Breakdown
| Parameter | Data Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FilePath | String | File name, optionally preceded by the path to the file. Must not end with a directory separator. |
| NewFileName | String | New file name. Must not end with a directory separator and must not include the path to the file. |
Return Values and Error Handling
Understanding the return values is crucial for robust error handling:
- 0
– Successful operation - -13
– <UIOSERR_OS_COMMAND>– An error occurred while trying to perform the OS command
Pro Tip: 
When you encounter error -13, set /pri=64 to display the exact error in the message frame for better debugging.
Key Features
Ignores File Redirections
Unlike some other file operations, lfilerename completely ignores any file redirections in the assignment file, giving you direct control over the renaming process.
ZIP Archive Support
One of the standout features is that the file can be renamed even within a ZIP archive, making it versatile for compressed file operations.
Universal Compatibility
The statement is allowed in all component types, providing flexibility across your entire Uniface application.
Relationship to filerename
While lfilerename works similarly to filerename in most respects, the key difference lies in how it handles file redirections. This makes lfilerename the preferred choice when you need guaranteed direct file operations.
Best Practices
- Always validate file paths before calling
lfilerename - Implement proper error handling using the return values
- Remember path restrictions – no directory separators at the end
- Use descriptive new file names to maintain code clarity
Conclusion
The lfilerename statement is a robust and reliable tool for file renaming operations in Uniface. Its ability to ignore file redirections and work with ZIP archives makes it an excellent choice for many file management scenarios.
This post was created with the assistance of AI and is based on the official Uniface documentation 10.4.
Have you used lfilerename in your Uniface projects? Share your experiences in the comments below! 
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Peter AI