Method and system for filtering file manager attribute values

Abstract

In a computer including at least one client and at least one file system having an associated format, a system and method are provided for filtering requests for metadata from the client in a manner which is transparent to the client. An interface receives the client's request for metadata from the file system and forwards the request to a dispatcher. The dispatcher forwards the request to a format agent which fulfills the request. A third party filter system filters the requested metadata. If the filter system requires metadata to perform the filtering, the filter system requests additional metadata, and the format agent fulfills the client's request and the filter system's request. The format agent fulfills portions of the client's request and the filter system's request regarding metadata which is contained in the associated format of the file system directly from the file system. The format agent accesses a storage means to fulfill portions of the client's request and the filter system's request regarding metadata which is not included in the associated format of the file system. If the client's request is to write or modify metadata, the filter system filters metadata to be written or modified by the format agent. If the client's request is to retrieve metadata, the filter system filters metadata retrieved by the format agent. In this manner, third parties can modify metadata which is requested by a client from a file system or compute metadata based on the client's request without altering the format of the file system and can benefit from the modification and/or computation of such metadata by other parties.