Files are associated with their "file handler" in two ways. The Settings view for an executable file contains an Association page. This page allows an application to be associated with its data file. The association can be by file type or by full or partial file name and extension.
The file type, file name, partial file name or file extension (for example WP*, WP*.DOC, *.DOC) can be associated with a program from the program itself or the program reference. The file type (for example, OS/2 command file or plain text file) can be associated with a program using the Settings view for an object. Both sets of information are stored in the OS2.INI file. See The OS2.INI File for further details.
A data file that "belongs" to an application will reflect this by having the application's name appear as a view that can be opened. Plain text files, for example, may be opened as a "System Editor" view. The Association page is available for command (CMD) files as well as executable (EXE) files.
This duplication can cause confusion to the user if the associations are set in all three places. We recommend that if you have a program reference for a program, use this to set the associations instead of setting the associations from the program object itself.