NTFS write-protect flag translation (tar? rsync?) only one-way?

[Larry Hall (Cygwin)]

On 4/5/2011 3:36 AM, Christian Gelinek wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a problem with the tar command with the "extract permissions
> information" option being set.
>
> I am running Cygwin (CYGWIN_NT-6.1-WOW64 1.7.8(0.236/5/3) 2011-03-01 09:36)
> under Windows 7 (Windows 7 Professional N Ver 6.1 Build 7600) with NTFS and
> the CYGWIN=ntsec environment variable.
>
> It appears that when tar reads files for adding to archives, it correctly
> interprets the Windows-set "R" attribute, which is also seen by ls under
> Cygwin. After extracting the files using tar though, only Cygwin's ls
> command seems to be aware of the read-only attribute; the attrib command (as
> well as Explorer and other Windows-apps) see and handle the file as being
> writeable.

The read-only attribute is a "Windows" thing.  Cygwin's utilities focus on
supporting POSIXy/Linuxy ways of doing things.  You can't expect Cygwin's
tools to manage all of Window's permission facilities in the same way as
Windows does.  The read-only flag is one case where you'll see a divergence.
If you need that flag set, you'll need your own wrapper to set it based on
the POSIX (or ACL) permissions.  The read-only attribute really is quite
anachronistic though IMO.  It conflicts with the more powerful ACLs.  If
you have the option, it's better not to use that flag.

-- 
Larry

_____________________________________________________________________

A: Yes.
> Q: Are you sure?
>> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?

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