API - set group of files to ReadOnly

I am working on a program in which, after I move a bunch of files to a
location, I would like to set all the files in that folder to ReadOnly. I
have set that attribute before, but only on 1 specific, known file. Has
anyone done it on a whole folder?

WT

 

Wayne:

I'd do it with a command window. You have to be able to navigate to
the directory with the files that are to be read-only. Then the syntax
is "attrib +r *.*" (without the quotes)

MS is trying to get this kind of stuff to go away, though. You may be
able to do it with a dialog box. In an explorer window, select all the
files (CTRL-A) then right click, select Properties, tick the read-only
box.. It should work.

Take it easy,

Tom

 

Highlight the desired folder (in the Windows Explorer pane) and right
click to access "properties" in the pull-down menu. Then check the
"Read Only" attribute. When "OK" is clicked, a dialog box will appear
to ask whether just the folder itself or the folder, sub-folders and
all contents should be given the attribute.

Per O. Hoel
________________________________________________

 

Whoops, I screwed up. You're talking about API programmming. Sorry.

I've never used the VB stuff with SW yet, but you may be able to send
such a command to the operating system...

Tom

 

You will need to use the FileSystemObject to access these attributes.
You can also use this to find all the file names of all files within a
folder.

Here is a link to a good writeup on the FSO
(http://www.aivosto.com/visdev/fso.html).

Here is an example of recursive searching that uses a form, but you
could easily loose the form perform the change with code
(http://vbnet.mvps.org/index.html?code/fileapi/).

 

Tom,

Also from the Explorer window I have found a "quick" way to do it (at least
in WinXP). Once the desired files are highlighted, from the keyboard press:
Alt-Enter, Spacebar, Enter.

I am a big keyboard fan. Using the mouse is usually slower than keyboard
commands, for me anyway.

 

Good one !!!

 

Thanks for the links. I was hoping for something as simple as the one-liner
to set one file to read-only, but I guess it will take a bit more studying.

WT

 

Ahhh, teach a man to fish.....

WT

 

Wayne it is pretty easy using the FileSystemObject

Early binding if you reference "Microsoft Scripting Runtime"

Dim FSystem As FileSystemObject
Dim ProducionDwgs As Folder
Dim d As Scripting.File


Set FSystem = New FileSystemObject
Set d = FSystem.GetFile(PathToFile)
d.Attributes = ReadOnly


you can loop the files in a folder like this

set ThisFolder = FSystem.GetFolder

for each d in ThisFolder.files
d.Attributes = ReadOnly
next

You might want to throw in if statements to check existence

If Filesystem.FileExists(PathToFile) Then
or
If Filesystem.FolderExists(PathToFolder) Then

I have been using this and it is wonderful.

 

Looking at what you just wrote makes it look not too difficult if you are
already used to using objects, obviously. I haven't had the chance to do
any reading yet (real work gets in the way...) but it certainly looks
doable. Thanks.

WT

 

Yeah the bigest problem I had at first was knowing which dll to add to
the references for early binding. Once you have the reference added it
is pretty strait foreward. Anthony Noll replied to my personal e-mail
instead of the group I presume he intended it to end up here

"Don't forget to include the full path in the GetFolder method, i.e.
Set ThisFolder = FileSysObj.GetFolder(FoldrPath)
Good luck
Tony"

I see in haste i missed the folder path for getFolder.

Good luck getting past the "Real Work" it is funny how setting up to be
efficient in the software world isn't concidered "Real Work" in a
manufacturing job you would get a pat on the back maybe even a raise.

Corey