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Attributes define the characteristics of the file. Attributes define how the file is supposed to be used by the user. You can assign multiple attributes to a single file. The file attributes are stored in a byte in directory structure.
In DOS you can set the file attributes by using the attrib command and for Windows you can set the attributes by going to the properties of the file, then right click the file and select properties. The attributes for a file are Read-only, Hidden, System, Volume label, Directory and Archive.
Read-only: If a file is marked as read-only, then the software that is operating the file will refuse to delete or modify it.
Hidden: If a file is marked as hidden then you will not see the file under normal operation. Normally in Windows all the critical files will be hidden.
System: This attribute is used to mark a file as system file. System files should not be modified or deleted.
Volume Label: Every logical disk can be assigned a name and it is called as volume.
Directory: This attribute differentiates the files as directories or files.
Archive: Every time the user or the software modifies a file, then the archive bit will be marked. This tells you when the file was last modified.
