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.
The file in which we set the attribute.
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.
The value of the attribute.
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. |