Read a given file's attributes

Question

I have a task in which they give me the path to a file and I have to print all the attributes of that file...

So far all what I have found on the internet is about writing/reading from a file, but this does not help a bit.

EDIT: It has to be done in assembly language EDIT2: I'm using windows 7 x64, but all my programs are compiled using TASM, TLINK and I'm using Turbo Debugger for debuggin

Why did you tag this with assembly? Do you have to implement a file system metadata reader? For which file system? What have you tried? — CodeCaster, Dec 10 '16 at 18:21
I edited. I have to do this in assembly and all of they possible attributes. So far I've tried nothing, because it's the first time I use files in assembly. — SnuKies, Dec 10 '16 at 18:24
What processor? What operating system? MS-DOS? Linux? OS/X? Other? 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit? — Michael Petch, Dec 10 '16 at 18:27
So DOSBOX/TASM suggests you are likely writing 16-bit MS-DOS programs — Michael Petch, Dec 10 '16 at 18:33
One of the Best DOS/BIOS resources is [Ralph Brown's Interrupt List](http://www.ctyme.com/rbrown.htm). In particular you'll be interested in [DOS Int 21h routines](http://www.ctyme.com/intr/int-21.htm) but specifically [Get File Attributes](http://www.ctyme.com/intr/rb-2802.htm) and the bit fields are defined [here](http://www.ctyme.com/intr/rb-2803.htm#Table1420) — Michael Petch, Dec 10 '16 at 18:38
Michael Petch that's what I was looking for ! Thanks! Could you add it as an answer? — SnuKies, Dec 10 '16 at 18:52

Michael Petch · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-10T22:03:11.813

Since this seems to be homework/assignment related I'm going to direct you to the resources and Interrupt information that you'll need to perform the task, without writing actual code.

One of the best places for all thing MS-DOS/BIOS related is Ralph Brown's Interrupt List
When dealing with DOS and Files most of the routines of interest will likely be the DOS Int 21h functions

In particular you'll probably want to use DOS's Int 21h/AX=4300h Get File Attributes function.

AX = 4300h
DS:DX -> ASCIZ filename

Return:
CF clear if successful
CX = file attributes (see #01420)
AX = CX (DR DOS 5.0)
CF set on error
AX = error code (01h,02h,03h,05h) (see #01680 at AH=59h)

You will also find the file attribute bits

Bit(s)  Description     (Table 01420)
7      shareable (Novell NetWare)
       pending deleted files (Novell DOS, OpenDOS)
6      unused
5      archive
4      directory
3      volume label.
       Execute-only (Novell NetWare)
2      system
1      hidden
0      read-only

Read a given file's attributes

1 Answers1