mov dx, seg FileName
mov ds, dx
mov dx, offset FileName ;ds:dx points to filename or directory name
mov ax, 4300h ;Get File Attributes
int 21h
jc error_handler ;carry set means error
mov Attributes, cx ;attributes are returned in cx
Get File Attributes (Function 4300h) retrieves the attributes for a specified file or directory.
FileName
Points to a zero-terminated ASCII string that specifies the file or directory to retrieve attributes for. This string must be a valid MS-DOS filename or directory name and cannot contain wildcards.
If the function is successful, the carry flag is clear and the CX register contains the attributes for the file or directory. Otherwise, the carry flag is set and the AX register contains an error value, which may be one of the following values:
| Value | Name |
| 0001h | ERROR_INVALID_FUNCTION |
| 0002h | ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND |
| 0003h | ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND |
| 0005h | ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED |
The file attributes returned in the CX register may be a combination of the following values:
| Value | Meaning |
| ATTR_NORMAL (0000h) | File can be read from or written to. |
| ATTR_READONLY (0001h) | File can read from but not written to. |
| ATTR_HIDDEN (0002h) | File or directory is hidden and does not appear in a directory listing. |
| ATTR_SYSTEM (0004h) | File or directory is a system file. |
| ATTR_ARCHIVE (0020h) | File has been archived. |
| ATTR_VOLUME (0008h) | Filename is the current volume label for the media. |
| ATTR_DIRECTORY (0010h) | Filename identifies a directory, not a file. |
Function 4301h Set File Attributes