File System Basics

File System Definition

• A file system is a way to organize and store files on a computer
• It provides a hierarchical structure for storing and retrieving files
• A file system consists of files, directories, and metadata

File System Components

• Files: collections of data stored on a disk
• Directories (or folders): containers that hold files and other directories
• Metadata: information about files and directories, such as permissions, ownership, and timestamps

File System Types

• Local File Systems: stored on local devices, such as hard drives or solid-state drives
• Network File Systems: stored on remote devices, accessed over a network
• Distributed File Systems: stored across multiple devices, providing a single file system interface

File System Operations

• Create: create a new file or directory
• Delete: remove a file or directory
• Read: retrieve the contents of a file
• Write: modify the contents of a file
• List: retrieve a list of files and directories in a directory
• Search: find files and directories based on specific criteria

File System Structures

• Hierarchical Structure: files and directories organized in a tree-like structure
• Flat Structure: files stored in a single directory with no subdirectories

File System Implementations

• FAT (File Allocation Table): a simple file system used in early operating systems
• NTFS (New Technology File System): a more advanced file system used in Windows operating systems
• HFS (Hierarchical File System): a file system used in macOS operating systems
• EXT (Extended File System): a file system used in Linux operating systems

File System Features

• Permissions: control access to files and directories based on user identity and permissions
• Access Control Lists (ACLs): fine-grained control over file and directory access
• File Compression: reduce the size of files to conserve storage space
• File Encryption: protect files from unauthorized access
• Journaling: record file system metadata to ensure file system integrity in case of a failure

File System Definition

• A file system organizes and stores files on a computer, providing a hierarchical structure for storing and retrieving files.

File System Components

• Files are collections of data stored on a disk.
• Directories (or folders) are containers that hold files and other directories.
• Metadata is information about files and directories, including permissions, ownership, and timestamps.

File System Types

• Local File Systems are stored on local devices, such as hard drives or solid-state drives.
• Network File Systems are stored on remote devices, accessed over a network.
• Distributed File Systems are stored across multiple devices, providing a single file system interface.

File System Operations

• Create operation creates a new file or directory.
• Delete operation removes a file or directory.
• Read operation retrieves the contents of a file.
• Write operation modifies the contents of a file.
• List operation retrieves a list of files and directories in a directory.
• Search operation finds files and directories based on specific criteria.

File System Structures

• Hierarchical Structure organizes files and directories in a tree-like structure.
• Flat Structure stores files in a single directory with no subdirectories.

File System Implementations

• FAT (File Allocation Table) is a simple file system used in early operating systems.
• NTFS (New Technology File System) is a more advanced file system used in Windows operating systems.
• HFS (Hierarchical File System) is a file system used in macOS operating systems.
• EXT (Extended File System) is a file system used in Linux operating systems.

File System Features

• Permissions control access to files and directories based on user identity and permissions.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) provide fine-grained control over file and directory access.
• File Compression reduces the size of files to conserve storage space.
• File Encryption protects files from unauthorized access.
• Journaling records file system metadata to ensure file system integrity in case of a failure.

File Systems

• A file system is a way of organizing and storing files on a computer, providing a hierarchical structure for storing and retrieving files.

Types of File Systems

• Local File Systems: stored on local devices such as hard drives or solid-state drives.
• Network File Systems: stored on remote devices and accessed through a network.
• Distributed File Systems: span multiple machines and allow simultaneous access.

File System Components

Root Directory

• The top-most directory in the file system hierarchy.

Directories

• Folders that contain files and subdirectories.

Subdirectories

• Directories within directories.

Files

• Collections of bytes stored on disk.

Inodes

• Data structures that store file metadata.

File System Operations

• Create: create a new file or directory.
• Delete: remove a file or directory.
• Read: retrieve the contents of a file.
• Write: modify the contents of a file.
• Rename: change the name of a file or directory.

File System Structures

Flat File System

• A simple, non-hierarchical structure.

Hierarchical File System

• A tree-like structure with directories and subdirectories.

File System Features

File Permissions

• Control access to files and directories.

File Compression

• Reduce file size to conserve storage.

File Encryption

• Protect files from unauthorized access.

File Recovery

• Restore deleted or corrupted files.

Common File Systems

NTFS (New Technology File System)

• Used in Windows operating systems.

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System Plus)

• Used in macOS.

EXT4 (Fourth Extended Filesystem)

• Used in Linux operating systems.

FAT (File Allocation Table)

• Used in older Windows operating systems.