Abstract: A method for superimposing attributes on files stored in a hierarchically organized file system, having at least one file and at least one directory, is disclosed. The method initializes an attribute data base (ADB) with one or more entries having a path descriptor referencing a file in a hierarchical database, an attribute, and an attribute association option describing how the attribute is associated with the file referenced by the path descriptor. The method simplifies maintaining systems employing file attributes to describe files by using the hierarchy of the file system to superimpose attributes on the files. The method provides for handling explicit, implicit, and static associations of attributes with files in the file hierarchy. The method is invoked by a file manager, such as an attribute supplying file hierarchy (ASFH), which resides in the operating system of a computer system having a processor, memory, and a system bus for passing data between the processor and memory.