[X-Unix] SetFile

[Doug McNutt]

At 07:43 -0500 1/12/05, Rich Sweeny wrote:
> I have used the 'SetFile' command in the past to
>hide drives like this: 'sudo SetFile -a V /Volumes/swap'.

SetFile originates with Apple's MPW on OS 4 or so. It was never explicitly able to assign attributes to disks and I doubt that it has changed much. Finder displays disks on the desktop a bit differently than it does folders within an open window. If you have Finder showing the directory /Volumes/ I would expect the "directory" swap/ to disappear.

From MPW on OS 9:

help setfile
SetFile         # set file/folder attributes
SetFile [optionŠ] file/folderŠ
    -a attributes           # attributes (lowercase = 0, uppercase = 1)*
    -c creator              # file creator
    -comments text          # put "text" in the "Get Info" comments field
    -d date                 # creation date (mm/dd/[yy]yy [hh:mm[:ss] [AM | PM]])*
    -l h,v                  # ICON location (horizontal,vertical)*
    -m date                 # modification date (mm/dd/[yy]yy [hh:mm[:ss] [AM | PM]])*
    -noResolve              # don't resolve aliases on the input file path
    -t type                 # file type

    Note: Period (.) represents the current date and time.
         
    Note: [yy]yy < 100 assumes 20th century, e.g. 19yy

    Note: The following attributes may be used with the -a option:
        A   Alias file
        V   Invisible*
        B   Bundle
        S   System (name locked)
        T   Stationary
        C   Custom icon*
        L   Locked
        I   Inited*
        N   No INIT resources
        M   Shared (can run multiple times)
        W   Always switch launch (if possible)
        D   Desktop*

    Note: Options/attributes marked with an asterisk (*) are allowed with folders



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