File Attributes
Attributes of a file refer to the parameters that determine the file's various properties and modify them. We can say that the attributes store metadata of the file. The Metadata of a file constitutes various attributes for this. The set of attributes for a file depends on the file system used in the system. For any file attribute, there could be only two scenarios. One is that it has been set. The other has been cleared.
We will be learning the naming of the files before the attributes of the file. Generally, the file's name in a file system consists of two parts-
-
Name - The file's name is supposed to be given by the user. But it can be set to some default value by the Operating System if the user doesn't do so.
-
Extension - The file extension depends on the type of data it stores. For example, if the file contains text, then it has a ".txt" extension. Similarly, video files can have .mp4 formats, etc.
You can also read about the Multilevel Queue Scheduling.
Types of attributes
So, let’s see all the attributes one by one.
Name
This attribute stores the name of the file. This helps in its unique identification. The file system can’t have two files of the same name. Also, we have already discussed its various parts in the above section.
Identifier
The extension of the file is also known as an identifier. It contains information about the type of data the file stores. Some popular types of file extensions are ".txt", ",mp4". For more transparency about the identifiers. Check out this blog of Identifiers and understand some rules and properties.
Types
The files stored in the file system are divided into various types. They can be text files, audio files, executable files, etc.
Location
The file system can have directories and files, and directories are collections of files. The location contains the file's exact location in the file system.
Size
This attribute stores the size occupied by the file in the memory. It is in terms of bytes.
Protection
Different files have different privacy settings. This attribute of the file determines the type and level of the file's security settings.
Time and data
This attribute contains information about the last time the file was modified.
Also, after exploring the attributes of a file, check out some File Operations to get a better view of a file system.
With this, we wrap up this blog, so let's move on to the FAQs for this blog.
Also, see Attributes in DBMS
Other Attributes
Attributes related to flags control or enable specific properties.
-
Read-only flag: When set, this flag indicates that the file or resource is read-only, meaning it cannot be modified or edited.
-
Hidden flag: Setting this flag hides the file or resource from normal directory listings and user interfaces, making it less visible to users.
-
System flag: This flag denotes that the file or resource is a system file essential for the operating system's functioning, typically hidden from regular users to prevent accidental modifications.
-
Archive flag: When set, this flag indicates that the file or resource has been modified since the last backup, prompting backup software to include it in the backup process.
-
ASCII/binary flag: This flag specifies the format of the file's content. ASCII mode is used for text files, while binary mode is used for non-text files, ensuring proper data handling during file operations.
-
Random access flag: When enabled, this flag allows for direct access to any part of the file, enabling random read and write operations rather than sequential access.
-
Temporary flag: Setting this flag indicates that the file or resource is temporary and can be deleted or cleaned up after its use, often used for temporary storage or caching purposes.
-
Lock flags: These flags control file locking mechanisms, which prevent simultaneous access to the file by multiple processes or threads to avoid data corruption or inconsistency issues. They include shared locks, exclusive locks, and other variants to manage concurrent access effectively.
Attributes related to keys are present in files that can be accessed using a key. These include:
- Record length: The number of bytes in a record.
- Key position: The offset of the key within each record.
- Key length: The number of bytes in the key field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are file attributes read-only?
It indicates that the file cannot be modified or edited, preventing accidental changes to its content.
What is the file attribute n?
The "N" attribute, denoted as "Normal" by Microsoft, signifies that no other attributes are active. To assign "N," all other attributes must be cleared.
What are file attributes with examples?
File attributes are properties of a file that provide additional information about the file. Examples of file attributes include file name, file size, file type, modification date, file permissions, owner, and group. These attributes can be used to organize and manage files more efficiently.
What are the basic file attributes?
The basic file attributes include the file name, size, type, creation date, modification date, permissions, owner, and group. These attributes provide information about the file and help in organizing and managing files more efficiently and effectively.
How many file attributes are there?
The number of file attributes can vary depending on the operating system and file system used. However, some common file attributes include file name, permissions, owner, and group, among others. The number of file attributes can be expanded or customized based on specific needs.
What is file name attribute?
The file name attribute is a basic file attribute that refers to the name given to a file. It is a text string that identifies the file and distinguishes it from other files. The file name attribute is important for organizing and identifying files.
Conclusion
In this article, we have extensively discussed the attributes of a file. We started with a brief introduction to the files. Then we discussed the various attributes of a file.
After reading about the attributes of a file, are you not feeling excited to read/explore more articles on the topic of file systems? Don't worry; Coding Ninjas has you covered. To learn, see Operating System, Unix File System, File System Routing, and File Input/Output.
Also see, Demand Paging in OS
Refer to our Guided Path on Coding Ninjas Studio to upskill yourself in Data Structures and Algorithms, Competitive Programming, JavaScript, System Design, and many more! If you want to test your competency in coding, you may check out the mock test series and participate in the contests hosted on Coding Ninjas Studio! But if you have just started your learning process and are looking for questions asked by tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, etc; you must look at the problems, interview experiences, and interview bundle for placement preparations.
Nevertheless, you may consider our paid courses to give your career an edge over others!
Do upvote our blogs if you find them helpful and engaging!
Happy Learning!
7+ registered 
