Command: attrib

  ATTRIB displays or changes file attributes.

Syntax:

  ATTRIB { options | [drive][path]filename | /@[list] }
         drive     The drive letter, e.g. C:
         path      The directory, e.g. \example\
         filename  The file, e.g. test.exe

Options:

  +A  Sets the Archive attribute.
  -A  Clears the Archive attribute.
  +H  Sets the Hidden attribute.
  -H  Clears the Hidden attribute.
  +R  Sets the Read-only attribute.
  -R  Clears the Read-only attribute.
  +S  Sets the System attribute.
  -S  Clears the System attribute.
  /@  Process files, listed in the specified file [or in stdin].
  /D  Process directory names for arguments with wildcards.
  /S  Process files in all directories in the specified path(es).
  /?  Shows the help.

Comments:

  If no file is specified, then the attributes for all files in the 
  current directory are changed (or simply displayed if none of 
  the above specifiers are used.)
  The archive attribute (+A) is set when a file is modified. Backup 
  utilities can clear the attribute to indicate that the file 
  has been backed up.
  If a file has the hidden (+H) flag, it is not shown if you type "dir".
  If a file has the read only (+R) flag, it can be read but not changed.
  If a file has the system (+S) flag, it is specially protected, e.g.
  it cannot be deleted or overwritten.
  ATTRIB has the following EXITCODES (ERRORLEVEL):
    0  completion successful; /? option used.
    1  error to change attribute(s) of file(s).
    2  no matching file(s) found for target(s).
    3  error open file(s), pointed in /@ option(s).
    4  error(s) in command line.

Examples:

  attrib file -rhs
  attrib +a -r dir1 dir2*.dat /s
  attrib -hs/sd /@list.txt *.*

See also:

  - nowhere -

  Copyright © 1998 Jim Hall, updated 2007 by W. Spiegl.

  This file is derived from the FreeDOS Spec Command HOWTO.
  See the file H2Cpying for copying conditions.