Label (Mac OS)

In the context of the classic Mac OS (versions prior to Mac OS X), a Label was a colored tag that could be assigned to files and folders. These labels provided a simple and visual way to categorize and organize files within the Finder.

The labels were represented by a row of colored rectangles displayed next to the file or folder name in the Finder window, and in the "Get Info" window. The colors were typically named and customizable; the default names were often something like "Essential," "Hot," "In Progress," "Personal," "Project 1," "Project 2," and "Done." Users could change these names to suit their specific needs.

Labels were not tied to specific applications or file types. Any file or folder could have a label assigned, allowing for cross-application organization.

The functionality of Labels was integrated directly into the Finder, making it a quick and easy way to visually sort and filter files. Users could sort Finder windows by label, or search for files based on their assigned label using the "Find" command.

While simple, Labels were a popular and effective method for basic file management in the classic Mac OS, especially for users who preferred a visual system for organization. The functionality was superseded by more powerful and flexible tagging systems in later versions of macOS, beginning with OS X.

Labels are distinct from file system metadata, and were stored as part of the Finder's database, not within the file itself. This means that the label information was only present on the specific Mac where the file was labelled; copying the file to another Mac running classic Mac OS would not preserve the label.