Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!mimsy!oddjob!hao!noao!mcdsun!rover!mph
From: mph@rover.UUCP (Mark Huth)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Using additional protection bits
Message-ID: <461@rover.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Aug-87 12:29:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: rover.461
Posted: Fri Aug  7 12:29:02 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Aug-87 10:09:07 EDT
Reply-To: mph@rover.UUCP (Mark Huth)
Distribution: world
Organization: Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Az.
Lines: 28
Keywords: protection, backup

I have completed the initial development of a hard disk backup program.  I feel
that there is a need to define an additional bit in the protection field of the
file attributes.  While there is no problem in commandeering a bit and using it
in the program and then writing a utility to set it, I would rather get CA's or
at least this forum's blessing, so as not to interfer with other uses of the
protection field.

The bit that I propose would be set to indicate that the file should not be
backed up.  This, of course, can be done with the archive bit, but the archive
bit has a somewhat different meaning.  The archive bit is cleared upon file
update, and would have to be explicitly set for files that are temporary after
each use.  The "NOBACKUP" bit, one the other hand, would allow one to flag
the T: directory so that any files therein would not be backed up.  Also,
the many PD directories which I keep on my hard disk would all be flagged,
since the copies are backed up on the floppies from whence they came.  By
flagging a directory, the backup program would avoid the search through each
file for protection attributes.  This should greatly speed the process of
backing up a hard drive without the need to write elaborate scripts.  For
lack of a better starting point, I propose to use 0x00000200 (bit 5, the
sixth bit, the one just more significant than the archive bit).

Please respond via email and I will post the consenses.  If CA wishes to
make a decree on this issue, please post to the net.

Thank you,
Mark Huth - I speak for myself
seismo!noao!mcdsun!nud!rover!mph