Creating 'read only' text files

[Paul Dupuis]

I don't know of a Livecode syntax per se to do this (i.e some syntax 
like: set the permissions of file tFile to read-only)

You can do this in Livecode using the shell() function (see the 
dictionary) to issue applicable mac or win command lines. For eample a 
Google search shows the command line to change a file's permissions on 
Windows is:

attrib +r file.txt

so you could code something like (not tested):

switch platform()
   case "Win32"
     set the hideConsoleWindows to true -- prevents windows console 
window from appears when the shell command executes
    put "attrib +r " & quote & tFile & quote into tCommand -- were tFile 
is the file (path and name with native \ delimiters) you want to make 
read-only
    put shell(tCommand) into tResult
    break
   case "MacOS"
     -- use chmod 744 apple.txt for you to have full access and everyone 
else read-only OR
     -- use chmod 444 apple.txt for everyone, you included, to be read-only
    put "chmod 444 " & quote & tFile & quote into tCommand -- were tFile 
is the file (path and name) you want to make read-only
    put shell(tCommand) into tResult
    break
end switch

This code may need some tweaking but I think this is the general 
approach to do what you want.

On 4/30/2023 7:35 AM, David V Glasgow via use-livecode wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Really simple question that I can’t see having been asked before, so here goes…
>
> I have a stack that outputs small text files.  Each includes a hash value referencing part of itself that can be checked subsequently, so any change to the text can be flagged.
>
> Is there a way I can easily create read-only files (Mac & Win) to discourage accidental user changes?  No need for encryption or hiding information anywhere, I just want to deter casual oopsies.
>
> Thanks in anticipation...
>
> Best Wishes,
>
> David Glasgow
> Honorary Professor, Nottingham Trent University
> Sexual Offences, Crime and Misconduct Research Unit
> Consultant Forensic & Clinical Psychologist
> Carlton Glasgow Partnership
> Director, Child & Family Training, York
>
>
> LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidvglasgow/>
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