CASCADE also takes care of deleting links and the associated files. The
deletion function is activated by pressing the MIDDLE mouse button. If the
anchor is a link to a simple file the anchor and the file will be
deleted.
If the anchor is to a document
component that is linked to other document components, a dialog box will appear
and inform you of the situation. If you still decide to move ahead, the anchor
will be removed along with the component to which it is linked. This may
``orphan'' other document components, and is a clear shortcoming in the
prototype. The DBMS version of CASCADE will assure appropriate handling of all
possible situations. Thus, caveat emptor, deletion of links and components is
allowed in CASCADE as a convenience to those testing it. It is not a
bullet-proof function and should be used carefully.
CASCADE also manages the directories it uses to store comments, removing empty directories when appropriate. This is another example of CASCADE reducing the systems administrative overhead for the user.