1. In a computer system having means for storing a plurality of files each having one or more file attributes and for storing at least one Automatic Class Selection (ACS) filter, a method for assessing the file management class of said files comprising the steps of: responsive to the opening of a first said file, referencing said Automatic Class Selection (ACS) filter in said storage means wherein said ACS filter includes an ordered plurality of rule declarations each specifying a range of values for a plurality of said file attributes and at least one file management class; testing in sequence each said rule declaration for coincidence with the file attributes of said first file until first encountering a rule declaration that coincides with said first file attributes; and selecting for said first file the file management class specified in said first encountered coincident rule declaration; and retesting said rule declarations and reselecting said file management class for said first file responsive to a subsequent reopening of said first file.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said file attributes include a plurality of file identifiers and a plurality of file characteristics and wherein each said rule declaration specifies a value for at least one of said plurality of file characteristics.