GetAttributes provides a scalar numeric value with special flags for the attributes. The basic syntax is use Win32::File; Win32::File::GetAttributes($name, $attr); The GetAttributes function returns false (0) on failure and true (non-zero value) on success. The GetAttributes function does not set the $! variable on the error. The $attr variable gets filled with a number of bit flags indicating the various attributes. The following tabls lists the constant value defined in Win32::File Constant Meaning ARCHIVE This flag can be used by backup programs. COMPRESSED File has been compressed by Windows. You cannot set this attribute. DIRECTORY File is a directory. You cannot set this attribute. HIDDEN A file that doesn't appear in listings of the directory. NORMAL A normal file. OFFLINE Data for the file is not available due to some operating system condition. READONLY File is read only. SYSTEM A system file. TEMPORARY File was marked as a temporary file.