Date   : Mon, 09 Apr 1984104:51:00-PST
From   : kevinw@isl
Subject: Re: CP/M 2.2 User 0 $SYS files

To clarify the attributes for cpm2 and cpm3.

attribute      cpm2                    cpm3
SYS            makes file invisible    for user 0 makes useable from
               to normal dir scan.     ANY user number.  WARNING: dri
               has no other effect     added the misfeature that any
               on cpm operation.       file accessed like this is a
               does not enable access  R/O file.  really screws up any
               from other user areas.  ideas of using mince from alternate
                                       user areas...

R/O            bdos will not allow     same as for cpm2
               this file to be
               overwritten or
               deleted.

ARCHIVE                not available           reset whenever a file is modified.
                                       used to flag what files are the
                                       same as on some archive source
                                       for reduced backup requirements.


Attributes for cpm2 are basically just cute additions -- r/o is nice but
there is no way other than stat to see what the attributes are.  there is
no way other than stat to even see what files are system files.  in cpm3
the attributes are much more integrated into the system and actually have
some uses.  now if only you could write a system user 0 file....  i guess
that dri has to add some screwup to what is otherwise a quite reasonable
version of os-8...

  -- Kevin
     kevinw@su-dsn