Linux File System

Future Techno India
5 min readAug 10, 2022

A Linux file system is a logical collection of files organized on a disk drive or partition. A partition is a chunk of memory containing specific data. In our machine, there may be a variety of partitions. Each partition will typically have a file system.

This file system consists of the following sections:

1. There is a root directory (/)

2. Specified data storage formats (EXT3, EXT4, BTRFS, XFS, etc.)

3. File system that is specific to a partition or logical volume.

What is the Linux File System?

Linux is usually a built-in layer of a Linux operating system. It is used to manage the storage of data. Files on the disk storage can be arranged with its help. A file is managed by managing its name, size, creation date, and much more.

Linux File System Structure

Linux file system has a hierarchical structure in that its root directory has subdirectories. From the root directory, all directory levels can be accessed. A partition typically has just one file system, but it may have several. The file system is designed so that it can manage and allocate space for nonvolatile storage data.

It also defines the organization of files on a memory segment using directories. Once a namespace has been described, a Metadata description for the particular file must be defined. The file also provides information about the size of the file, when it was created, updated, and last modified.

Also, it stores advanced information about a partition or volume on the disk

Advance data and its structures represent the file system information on the drive. The advanced data and its structures are distinct from the file system metadata..

Linux file system software implementation architecture consists of two parts.

The following image shows these parts:

The document device calls for аn АРI (Аррliсаtiоn рrоgrаmming interfасe) tо ассess the amusingсtiоn саlls tо interасt with the document machine соmроnents like documents аnd direсtоries.

АРI fасilitаtes tаsks suсh аs сreаting, deleting, аnd сорying the documents. It fасilitаtes аn аlgоrithm thаt defines the аrrаngement оf files оn а record device.

Linux File System Features

In Linux, the document system creates a tree structure. all of the files are organized as a tree and its branches. The topmost listing is called the foundation (/) directory. All other directories in Linux may be accessed from the root listing.

File system is as follows:

Specifying paths: Linux does now not use the backslash () to separate the components; it uses forward lessen (/) as an opportunity. as example, as in windows, the information may be saved in C: My files paintings, while, in Linux, it might be saved in /domestic/ My file/ paintings.

Partition, Directories, and Drives: Linux does not use force letters to arrange the force as windows do. In Linux, we can’t inform whether or not we are addressing a partition, a network tool, or an “ordinary” directory and pressure.

Case Sensitivity: Linux file gadget is case sensitive. It distinguishes between lowercase and uppercase file names. along with, there may be a distinction among check.txt and take a look at.txt in Linux.

record Extensions: In Linux, a document can also have the extension ‘.txt,’ however it is not necessary that a record ought to have a document extension. If we use the graphical record supervisor, it symbolizes the documents and folders.

Hidden files: Linux distinguishes between standard files and hidden files, by and large the configuration files are hidden in Linux OS. normally, we don’t need to get right of entry to or examine the hidden documents. The hidden files in Linux are represented through a dot (.) earlier than the document call (e.g., .ignore).

Types of Linux File Systems

whilst we set up the Linux running system, Linux gives many report systems consisting of Ext, Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS, btrfs, and swap.

Ext, Ext2, Ext3, and Ext4 file system

Ext2 is the primary Linux report gadget that lets in deal with terabytes of statistics. Ext3 is advanced via Ext2; it’s far an upgraded model of Ext2 and carries backward compatibility.

The predominant disadvantage of Ext3 is that it does not guide servers because this file machine does not aid file healing and disk snapshot.

Ext4 document gadget is the quicker record system among all the Ext file structures. it’s miles a very like-minded choice for the SSD (strong-state force) disks, and it’s miles the default record system in Linux distribution.

JFS File System

JFS stands for Journaled record device, and it is developed by using IBM for AIX Unix. it is an alternative to the Ext document gadget. it can also be utilized in the region of Ext4, wherein stability is wanted with few assets. it’s far a reachable report gadget while CPU energy is limited .

XFS File System

XFS document system became considered as high-speed JFS, that’s evolved for parallel I/O processing. NASA nonetheless uses this document device with its high storage server (three hundred+ Terabyte server).

ReiserFS File System

.ReiserFS is an alternative to the Ext3 report device. It has improved overall performance and superior functions. In the sooner time, the ReiserFS became used as the default report gadget in SUSE Linux, but later it has modified a few policies, so SUSE returned to Ext3.

Btrfs File System

Btrfs stands for the B tree record gadget. it’s far used for fault tolerance, restoring machines, amusing administration, vast garage configuration, and extra. It isn’t always an excellent suit for the production device.

Swap File System

The switch record gadget is used for reminiscence paging in the Linux running system at some point of the system hibernation. A device that by no means goes in hibernate nation is needed to have a swap area equal to its RAM size.

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