Archive attribute be turned on or turn off

karson wong

Hi guy,

I have little bit confuse about the effect of "archive attribute be turned on or turn off" while back up the data. Like normal/full and copy, and differential, incremental. Except to turn the archive attribute, what the difference effect for the back up result between the two?

Can some one give a fully description? Thank you!

Danman32

The archive bit can be set/cleared or read. Some of the backup strategies clear the bit, but ignore it in deciding whether that file will be backed up or not.
Others clear the bit but decide if that file will be backed up or not before clearing.
Others don't touch the bit, but still uses it to decide if the file will be backed up.
Others don't bother with the bit one way or the other.

When a file is updated/create in everyday use, the bit is set.

Full: ignore bit for deciding on whether to back up or not, but clear bit once backed up.

Copy: ignore the bit in deciding, leave bit as is.

Differential: Use bit in deciding to back up or not, but leave bit as is so that the file will still be backed up in subsequent backups that use this bit.

Incremental: Use bit in deciding, clear bit once file is backed up. File will then only be backed up again if the file changes and the subsequent backup uses this bit. Otherwise the file won't be backed up again with backups that use this bit.

Daily: only date stamp determines if file will be backed up. I think the bit is left alone.