what is purpose of file attribute - archive?

[hazz]

I can't find the docs to explain how/why files are given the archive
attribute.
I understand read-only and hidden, but what is archive for? Is there any
documention someone could point me to? thx. -greg

 

[Richard Urban]

Some backup programs will clear the archive attribute when a backup is
performed. Then, when you do an incremental or differential backup, the file
will not be copied - it already has been. If the file has changed, the
archive bit is reset and the file will then be copied by an incremental or
differential type backup.

It saves space in the backup. Don't copy what you don't need.

--

Regards:

Richard Urban



aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Alex Nichol]

I can't find the docs to explain how/why files are given the archive
attribute.
I understand read-only and hidden, but what is archive for? Is there any
documention someone could point me to? thx. -greg

It is set when ever a file has been opened to write or update, and then
closed. It thus indicates that the contents may have been changed so
that it should be included in a 'incremental' backup of changed files.
The backup program then usually resets the bit so it need not be
included next time