1. A method for effectively communicating file properties and directory structures within a distributed file system, comprising: creating a manifest that includes properties relating to the files used in an application; initially storing the manifest on a server; distributing the manifest to a client before the client has received all of the files associated with the application; storing the manifest on the client; determining when a request for a property relating to a file in the application is made by the client, and then retrieving the property from the manifest stored on the client.