*------------------------------------------------------------------*
|     NAME:     ATTR                                               |
|     FUNCTION: File Attribute Change Program                      |
*------------------------------------------------------------------*

This program allows selective viewing  and/or  modification  to  the
attribute  bits  associated with DOS files.  The four attribute bits
(R,H,S,A) may be individually or  group  switched.   Action  may  be
either  file-by-file  queried  or  done on a quick (no query) basis.
This program has the advantage of showing  only  those  files  which
will change.  Current and new attribute bits are shown.  For options
type ATTR /?


Usage: ATTR [Options] [Attributes] [[d:][path][filespec] ... ]

ATTRIBUTES:

none:
      List  Attributes  only.  If no  options  are  given, the files
      requested will  indicate  current  attributes  for  each  file
      prior  to  the  filename,  in  the  form  [rhsa],  where   the
      attribute bits are as defined below.

a Archive
      +a will set the archive bit (file needs to be archived)
      -a will clear the archive bit (file has been archived)

h Hidden File
      +h will set the hidden file bit
         (file invisible to most programs)
      -h will clear the hidden file bit
         (file visible to all programs)

r Read Only
      +r will set the R/O bit
         (file can not be overwritten or deleted)
      -r will clear the R/O bit
         (normal file - can be read/written/deleted)

s System File
      +s will set the System File bit
         (file is System file - meaningless)
      -s will clear the System File bit (normal file)


OPTIONS:

/C - Clear all attributes

This option is the same as separately defining -r-h-s-a
Using  this  option before defining individual attributes allows all
bits to be cleared except those required to be set.
e.g. to set only the archive bit, use ATTR -r-h-s+a or ATTR /C +a

/D - Directories included

This  option  permits  the  standard  attribute  bits  for directory
entries to be modified in the same manner as file  attributes.   Its
most common use will be to set/clear the hidden "h" bit.

NOTES:  this  option  will  display  the  "d"  bit, in the attribute
fields, in addition to the normal "rhsa" bits.  It  will  allow  the
parent  directory  entry  (".")  to  be changed, but not the current
directory entry ("..").

/N - "N" mode

This  "Quick"  option  behaves  as  if the response to all attribute
changes were <N>.  It thus allows ATTR to display  all  files  which
could be changed if selected.

/P - Pause each page

This option will cause the output to be suspended at the end of each
full  screen.   Very  useful  on  faster  PCs.   Only  active  if no
attributes being changed.

/Q - Quick Mode

The default mode for ATTR is to force the  program  to  request  <Y>
response for each file to change the attributes for the given file.

/Q will automatically change all files attributes as needed

/S - Subdirectories searched

Allows  ATTR  to  work on all subdirectories below that specified in
the command line.

/Y - "Y" mode
See /Q mode

/B:dd/mm/yy - newest date "Before"

This  option  allows  a  newest  date  to be specified.  Any file of
newer date will not be processed.   Format  for  the  date  must  be
/B:dd/mm/yy  and  have  a trailing space if other parameters follow.
e.g. ATTR /B:31/12/92 *.asm

/D:dd/mm/yy - oldest date "Dated"

This option allows an oldest date to  be  specified.   Any  file  of
earlier  date  will  not  be processed.  Format for the date must be
/D:dd/mm/yy and have a trailing space if  other  parameters  follow.
e.g.  ATTR /D:1/1/92 *.asm
When  combined  with  the  /B:date option, this allows processing of
only a restricted date range. e.g.  ATTR /B:31/12/92 /D:1/1/92 *.asm
will only process *.ASM files with date ranges in 1992.
NOTE: does not also generate the /D (directories) option.

NOTE: When attribute changes are in action, ATTR only displays those
files which will require a change to their attributes,  showing  the
current  settings,  the  filename  and the new settings if selected.
However, all files are shown if no attribute changes are specified.

The filespec now uses the ambiguous format "x*" conversion to "x*.*"

The program may be aborted at any time by striking the <ESC> key.

FILENAME NOTE: If a file includes the "-" character, then it can not
be processed by ATTR because of the conflict of the  attribute  sign
with  filenames.   Although  this  is  an uncommon situation, it may
arise on occasions, especially with commercially created files  such
as Windows font files.  Two ways to get around this are:

     1. Use the old ATTRIB supplied with your system (yuk!)
     2. Use a wildcard "?"  where the "-" is located.

Author:         Howard Harvey (hjh@gwd.dsto.gov.au)
Release Date:   5/MAY/94
