Even a lean and simple High Sierra system has many xattrs of many types, and plenty of files still have ‘resource forks’. Plus details of some important xattrs used by Apple’s system files.
extended attributes
They’re almost invisible, but surprisingly widely used. xattrs come in very many different types, and contain valuable information. Here are results from analysing most of a Sierra startup volume.
There was an extremely annoying minor bug in window resizing. It’s now fixed.
Unique xattr browser and editor now compatible with both Sierra and High Sierra.
NSDocument is based on the data stored in the data fork of a file. Could it be modified to work with xattrs instead? And dipping my toes into NSTableView.
This tool now has an overhauled interface, making it much easier to use. Currently the only way of viewing and editing xattrs without using the command line.
Using wrappers to call C functions which give direct access to xattrs, handling throws, and converting arbitrary Data to Strings.
A free tool to force full Gatekeeper checks without having to download an app, inspect, add, and remove xattrs from files and folders.
Working with extended attributes in Swift. They’re straightforward using shell commands, but that is not the best way ahead.
One of the great hidden features in macOS, xattrs are rarely used by anyone outside Apple, largely because they are so poorly supported by functions calls and tools.
The Eclectic Light Company 