getfattrsetfattr

getfattrsetfattr refers to the pair of command-line utilities getfattr and setfattr, which are used to read and modify extended attributes (xattrs) on files and directories in Unix-like operating systems. These utilities are commonly distributed as part of the attr package and provide a simple interface to the underlying extended attribute system calls (getxattr, setxattr, listxattr, removexattr).

getfattr retrieves and displays one or more extended attributes attached to a filesystem object, while setfattr creates, changes, or removes attributes. Extended attributes are name/value metadata stored outside of the regular file contents and are used for purposes such as user-defined metadata, SELinux labels (security.*), capabilities, or application-specific information. Attributes are typically organized into namespaces (for example user, system, security, trusted) that control access and semantics.

These tools are useful for system administrators, backup and restore workflows, security policy management, and debugging metadata-related issues. Their effectiveness depends on filesystem support (ext4, XFS, Btrfs, etc.) and mount options that enable xattr handling. Care should be taken with portability and security: xattrs may be lost when copying files between filesystems or archiving without xattr-aware tools, and arbitrary attribute data can expose sensitive information if not managed properly.

For programmatic access, language bindings and library calls for extended attributes are available, offering finer control or integration into applications.