Editing and displaying advanced file attributes
Command Line – Advanced File Attributes
© Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash
The chattr and lsattr commands offer users a convenient way to modify and display advanced file attributes.
Most users are familiar with the usual file attributes. Desktop file managers often list them as properties: the name, path, size, and the dates that the file was created, last accessed, and last modified (Figure 1). Many, too, are familiar with the separate read, write, and execution permissions for a file's owner, group, and other users. However, over the decades, new filesystems, as well as the needs of version control for developers, have developed additional optional attributes. These additional attributes are edited by chattr [1], the equivalent for chown and chmod for permissions, and can be viewed by lsattr [2]. Both commands are included in the e2fsprogs [3] package and are installed by default in most distributions. While the creation of chattr and lsattr was driven by the needs of developers, many of these additional attributes are practical for everyday use as well.
Figure 1: The standard file attributes are displayed in Plasma's Dolphin file manager. Also note the Permissions tab.
chattr and lsattr Options
The commands for working with file attributes have limited options. All options use a single letter rather than the full word like GNU style. In chattr, the -f option will suppress all except critical error messages. However, users are more likely to want -R (recursive) to change the attributes of an entire directory or -V (verbose) to receive instant feedback. Developers may want to use -v VERSION together with version control, or -p PROJECT to associate files with a particular project. For commands, chattr uses a standard structure:
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.