# ALLOCATE

> [HTML Version](allocate_random.htm)



**ALLOCATE fspec, blks**

ALLOCATE creates a random file. 

**Parameters**

_fspec_ is file specification in native or DevPPN format. If no extension is given, the default is .DAT. To create a file with no extension, terminate the filespec with a single period (".").

_blks_ specifies the size of the file in 512 byte "blocks". Modern disks typically have much larger physical blocks sizes, so the 512 byte unit used here is just a historical hold-over from AMOS.

**Comments**

Random files must be created before they can be opened. In contrast, a sequential file is created automatically when it is opened for output.