Method and system for storing and accessing user-defined attributes

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for associating a file descriptor with a selected file within a data processing system that has multiple diverse operating systems, a number of diverse incompatible file systems, and a single file service which controls access by the operating systems to the file systems. When a request for file services, which specifies a file descriptor to be associated with a selected file, is received from a particular operating system in a format specific to that particular operating system, the file descriptor is converted into a nonspecific format utilized by the file service which includes an indication of the specific format utilized by the particular operating system. The file descriptor is examined to determine a destination file system and is then transmitted to that file system. If the destination file system supports the nonspecific format, the file descriptor is stored within the destination file system in association with the selected file. If the destination file system does not support the nonspecific format, it is determined if the destination file system supports the specific format utilized by the particular operating system. In response to determining that the destination file system supports the specific format, the file descriptor is translated into the specific format and stored within the destination file system in association with the selected file. If the destination file system does not support the specific format, the particular operating system is notified that the file descriptor was not associated with the selected file.