In one of the programs I have a statement file.chmod(tmp.file,438). Any ideas what does it mean?

The function file.chmod() does the same as the appropriate unix command chmod, ie. it changes the permissions on files.

Normally, unix admins use the value in octal because that's much easier:
Digit 1 is for the user, digit 2 for the group and digit 3 for others; the bit
values are 4=execute, 2=write, 1=read.

So: 438 (decimal) is equivalent to 666 (octal), which means read and write permissions to everyone.

Hi,

You can find the documnetation of the function here:
http://www.baanboard.com/programmers_manual_baanerp_help_functions_directory_file_operations_file_chmod

- George