File Systems Flashcards
What is a file system?
A file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain.
Name three common types of file systems.
Three common types of file systems are FAT32 (file allocation table) NTFS (new technology file system - Windows) and ext4 (extent - Linux).
What is the purpose of a file system?
The primary purpose of a file system is to manage the organization storage retrieval naming sharing and protection of files on a computer.
Explain the difference between a file and a directory.
A file is a collection of data while a directory (or folder) is a container for files and other directories.
What is fragmentation in the context of file systems?
Fragmentation occurs when files are stored in non-contiguous clusters on a disk leading to inefficiencies in file access and storage space usage.
What is the concept of permissions in a file system?
Permissions in a file system control access to files and directories specifying which users or system processes have permission to read write or execute them.
What is a journaling file system?
A journaling file system maintains a journal or log that records changes to the file system before they are actually performed providing a mechanism for recovering from system crashes or power failures.
Explain the purpose of a file allocation table (FAT).
A file allocation table (FAT) is a data structure that maps clusters to files in a file system enabling the operating system to locate and access files.
What is the difference between a file path and a file name?
A file name is the name assigned to a file while a file path includes the directory or folder structure leading to the file.
What is symbolic linking in the context of file systems?
Symbolic linking is a feature in file systems that allows a file to be referenced with a symbolic link or shortcut providing flexibility and simplifying file management.
