PURPOSE: To get the operating state of a file at an arbitrary time by referring to a file operating condition storage means to return the operating condition of a specific file.

CONSTITUTION: A file operating condition managing means 3 checks whether the operating condition of a file 2 is already stored in a file operating condition storage means 4 or not. When it is not stored, the operating condition of the file 2 is stored in the file operating condition storage means 4, and reported contents are registered in this means 4. A file operating condition return means 5 checks whether the operating condition of the file 2 is stored or not, and it is returned to a requester when being stored. Thus, the operating condition of the file always shared during the system operation like a system file is easily gotten at an arbitrary time.