WHat are flags?

Can anybody actually tell, what is flag? I know they are termed as permission flags and various others.
Please explain

Interesting question. I am not sure that there is a precise definition.

Typically permission flags refer to constants defined to represent corresponding permission bits and are used for code portability reasons.

Hmm I hope I will also get some more information and answers.

Hi.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_\(computing\)

Google and Wikipedia are your friends for factual information ... cheers, drl