ATTR (Attribute) COMMAND

Purpose: Allows to set or display file attributes.

Syntax:  ATTR [+S|-S] [+H|-H] [+R|-R] [+A|-A] [/P[ROMPT]] [/M[ORE]] FILELIST

Type:    Internal command

Parameters:

+S - sets the system attribute of a file.
-S - cancels the system attribute.
+H - sets the hidden attribute of a file.
-H - cancels the hidden attribute.
+R - sets the read-only attribute of a file.
-R - cancels the read-only attribute.
+A - sets the archive bit of the file.
-A - cancels the archive bit of the file.

     If you enter consequently several ATTR commands with different
attributes the result will be the sum of commands. For example, you enter

        ATTR +h a.bat

and then, after a time you enter

        ATTR +r +s a.bat

A.BAT file will have attributes "hidden", "system" and "read only".

/P[ROMPT] - prompts the user for confirmation to change the attribute of
            the file

/M[ORE]   - pauses after each screenful of information.

FFILELIST ::= [parms]
             {
             [d:][path]file_name[.ext] |
             (FILELIST[,|+| ]...)      |
             @reference_file
             }

FILELIST  - defines the files for setting attributes to.
            (See INTERNAL DOS COMMAND ARGUMENTS for detailed description)

file_name         - may contain wild card symbols ( '?' and '*' ).
reference file    - is the name of a text file containing
                    the command's options. It should be specified
                    explicitly.
parms             - are any combination of the following keys:

  /S         - to include subdirectories in the search
  /O[:order] - sets the directory element sorting criteria.
               order is a set of the sorting criteria control symbols:
               G - sort on the attributes
               N - sort on the file names
               E - sort on the file extensions
               S - sort on the file size
               D - sort on the date of creation
               Minus sign before a control symbol changes the sorting
               criteria to a complementary one. If no order parameter is
               present, the following sorting criteria is used: on
               attributes, then on names and extensions.

Examples:
1.      A:\>attr +r -a file1.txt

This command sets the "read-only" attribute to the FILE1.TXT file and
cancels the "archive" bit. The following message will be displayed on the
screen:

        FILE1.TXT attributes are set to -R---
        (the "read-only" attribute is set for the FILE1.TXT file)

2.      A:\>attr file1.txt

This command displays attributes of a file. The screen will display:

        -R--- FILE1.TXT


3.      A:\>attr -r file1.txt

This command cancels the "read only" attribute.

4.      A:\>attr file1.txt,

On entering this command you may see that the "read only" attribute has
been cancelled:

         ----- FILE1.TXT

5.      A:\>attr +a /P file?.txt

If the user specifies the /P key ("with prompt") then the shell will
ask for confirmation before changing the attributes:

        FILE1.TXT change attributes for this file {Y/N/All yes/Quit}? _

     To reply, the user should input one of the above answers and press
[Enter]. Pressing [Enter] alone is equal to "Y".

"Y" - the current file attributes are set and the Shell jumps to the next
      file.

"N" - the current file attributes are left without changes and the Shell
      immediately jumps to the next file.

"A" - attributes of all the remaining files are modified with no asking
      for user confirmation.

"Q" - quit the command.

Note:
     Modifying the archive bit affects the BACKUP/M command. If the bit is
set, the corresponding file is copied; if the bit is cancelled (equal to
zero), then no file copying occurs.