File Attributes

If you have ever played around with files, you know that all files and directories in the Win32 world have the four basic common file attributes listed in Table 4.1 (inherited from the DOS world).

Table 4.1. Common File Attributes
Attribute Description
ARCHIVE The ARCHIVE attribute is set any time the file’s contents change. Backup programs that back up only files with the ARCHIVE flag set use this.
HIDDEN A file with the HIDDEN attribute set does not appear in directory listings.
READONLY The operating system does not allow files with the READONLY flag set to change.
SYSTEM The SYSTEM attribute specifies that a file is a system file. System files require special handling by the operating system. The main two files that make ...

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