This function sets the value of an extended attribute of a file.
Extended attributes have two different namespaces: user
and root namespace. User namespace is available for all users while root namespace
is available only for user with root privileges. xattr operates on user namespace
by default, but you can change that using flags
argument.
filename
The file in which we set the attribute.
name
The name of the extended attribute. This attribute will be created if
it doesn't exist or replaced otherwise. You can change this behaviour
by using the flags
parameter.
value
The value of the attribute.
flags
Table 1. Supported xattr flags
XATTR_CREATE | Function will fail if extended attribute already exists. |
XATTR_REPLACE | Function will fail if extended attribute doesn't exist. |
XATTR_DONTFOLLOW | Do not follow the symbolic link but operate on symbolic link itself. |
XATTR_ROOT | Set attribute in root (trusted) namespace. Requires root privileges. |