Programming Forums > Script Programming > Bash / Shell Scripting

Creator · Jun 2nd, 2006, 7:43 AM

hi guys,
Is there any command or function through which i can get attributes of a file
like following attributes
hidden
archive
read
etc

DaWei · Jun 2nd, 2006, 9:04 AM

Please note that it is against forum rules to cross-post. Be a real gentleman and READ the friggin' rules, wouldya?

jim mcnamara · Jun 5th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Those attributes are for Windows files, not UNIX files. e.g., there is no such thing as a hidden UNIX file.

Infinite Recursion · Jun 5th, 2006, 10:38 AM

Using `ls -lastr` would give you a decent list of file properties. The "hidden" files in linux are typically called "dot files". If you preceed the filename with a dot (as in .fileName), it would "hide" from the default `ls` command.

The -a flag of the ls command would find all dot files, so in effect they aren't really hidden. However, you could probably effectively hide a file by prefixing the filename with nongraphic characters. Although the -b flag of `ls` would print octal escapes in the place of the nongraphic character... The use of -b is not as commonly known as -a.

When in doubt, encrypt the file and change ownership and permissions.

jim mcnamara · Jun 6th, 2006, 12:14 PM

IF -

I disagree - you can hide unix files the way you describe but stat - which is the definitive statement about file properties -- does not have any such thing as hidden in UNIX files. Windows filesystems support that property - as well as archive, etc.

I am not arguing "functionality" I'm arguing defined properties - what you did was to confuse the poor OP. IMO.

I guess shell scripting includes windows/DOS bat files. There isn't a stat shell command available from standard Windows XP distributions, so that leaves UNIX

Well, Linux stat....

Hence, the comment.

a thing · Jun 6th, 2006, 3:49 PM

By the way, Windows files having the archive flag means nothing. I've seen many non-archive files with it.

Ooble · Jun 6th, 2006, 8:08 PM

The Archive flag was created so backup utilities would know which files to back up. I don't believe it's used much in practice.

Jun 2nd, 2006, 7:43 AM	#1
Creator Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Command to find file attributes hi guys, Is there any command or function through which i can get attributes of a file like following attributes hidden archive read etc

Jun 2nd, 2006, 9:04 AM	#2
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	Please note that it is against forum rules to cross-post. Be a real gentleman and READ the friggin' rules, wouldya? __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Jun 5th, 2006, 10:38 AM	#4
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,467 Rep Power: 8	Using `ls -lastr` would give you a decent list of file properties. The "hidden" files in linux are typically called "dot files". If you preceed the filename with a dot (as in .fileName), it would "hide" from the default `ls` command. The -a flag of the ls command would find all dot files, so in effect they aren't really hidden. However, you could probably effectively hide a file by prefixing the filename with nongraphic characters. Although the -b flag of `ls` would print octal escapes in the place of the nongraphic character... The use of -b is not as commonly known as -a. When in doubt, encrypt the file and change ownership and permissions. __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Jun 6th, 2006, 3:49 PM	#6
a thing Unverified User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: none Posts: 146 Rep Power: 0	By the way, Windows files having the archive flag means nothing. I've seen many non-archive files with it. __________________ Warning: My posts may change (dramatically) within the first 15 minutes they're posted. Got 'Nux?�GNU/Linux and other free software support. It's GNU/Linux, not just Linux.

Jun 6th, 2006, 8:08 PM	#7
Ooble I eat cake for breakfast. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In my box. Posts: 4,434 Rep Power: 9	The Archive flag was created so backup utilities would know which files to back up. I don't believe it's used much in practice. __________________ Me :: You :: Them

Jun 5th, 2006, 10:12 AM	#3
jim mcnamara Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 228 Rep Power: 4	Those attributes are for Windows files, not UNIX files. e.g., there is no such thing as a hidden UNIX file.

Jun 6th, 2006, 12:14 PM	#5
jim mcnamara Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 228 Rep Power: 4	IF - I disagree - you can hide unix files the way you describe but stat - which is the definitive statement about file properties -- does not have any such thing as hidden in UNIX files. Windows filesystems support that property - as well as archive, etc. I am not arguing "functionality" I'm arguing defined properties - what you did was to confuse the poor OP. IMO. I guess shell scripting includes windows/DOS bat files. There isn't a stat shell command available from standard Windows XP distributions, so that leaves UNIX Well, Linux stat.... Hence, the comment.

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Programming Forums > Script Programming > Bash / Shell Scripting

Command to find file attributes