Re: Correction to ZIP: Mass Removal of Archive Bit on All Directories

[Robert Orndorff orndorff@xxxxxxxx]

The archive bit is used by backup programs to determine which files need
to be backed up(archived). If the archive bit is set, then that file
has changed since the last backup. Theoretically, the only way (other
than manually) that the archive bit gets cleared is when a backup
program runs and backs up the file. So if you are using a backup
program and do *incremental* backups, this batch file could cause
everything to *not* get backed up. No archive bit, then the backup
program thinks it doesn't need to be archived.


This also means that every time you change a file, its archive bit gets set.

I don't really know how this bit is supposed to work with directories,
though.


Robert Holmgren wrote:

** Reply to message from Harry Binswanger  on Sat, 28 Feb 2004
16:20:05 -0500


In general, is there any reason why any of these attributes
have to be kept turned on?


I don't know. That's for you to determine. I can't recall any use for the
archive bit whatsoever (especially in a directory), but that doesn't mean there
isn't one, or that it wasn't conceived with a purpose. I'm just providing a
tool for a specific XyNeed. Whether there is collateral damage, I couldn't
say. But I ran them against all directories on all drives of all my machines,
and I haven't experienced any problems. YMMV.


--
-Robert Orndorff
Richmond, VA
orndorff@xxxxxxxx
http://www.rmonet.com