Re: [RFC][PATCH] VFS interface for extended attributes

[Daniel Phillips]

Hi, sorry for jumping into this a little late, but...

On November 16, 2001 12:18 am, Nathan Scott wrote:
> > What is the distinction between "set" and "replace" or "set" and "create"?
> 
> +#define EA_CREATE   0x0001  /* Set the value: fail if attr already exists */
> +#define EA_REPLACE  0x0002  /* Set the value: fail if attr does not exist */
> 
> Whereas "set" is simply set the named attribute value, creating the
> attribute if need be, replacing the value if the attribute exists,
> and then return success.

What is the purpose of these distinctions?  Does anyone rely on them?  Do such
distinctions exist in an existing implementation?

Thanks.

Daniel