.file string
.file
(which may also be spelled `.app-file') tells
as
that we are about to start a new logical file.
string is the new file name. In general, the filename is
recognized whether or not it is surrounded by quotes `"'; but if
you wish to specify an empty file name, you must give the
quotes--""
. This statement may go away in future: it is only
recognized to be compatible with old as
programs.
In some configurations of as
, .file
has already been
removed to avoid conflicts with other assemblers. See section Machine Dependent Features.