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Chapter 2 File Systems

A file system provides structure and organization for files stored on a computer system. It defines files and their attributes like name, size, and location. There are three main types of file structures - text files consisting of characters organized into lines, object files as series of bytes organized into blocks, and source files as series of functions and processes. A file system manages files and their attributes to provide input/output support across different storage devices and users while preventing data loss and supporting file sharing and security.

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16 views4 pages

Chapter 2 File Systems

A file system provides structure and organization for files stored on a computer system. It defines files and their attributes like name, size, and location. There are three main types of file structures - text files consisting of characters organized into lines, object files as series of bytes organized into blocks, and source files as series of functions and processes. A file system manages files and their attributes to provide input/output support across different storage devices and users while preventing data loss and supporting file sharing and security.

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Updala Iprohim
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File Systems in Operating System:

Structure, Attributes, Types

What is File System?


A file is a collection of correlated information which is recorded on
secondary or non-volatile storage like magnetic disks, optical disks,
and tapes. It is a method of data collection that is used as a medium
for giving input and receiving output from that program.

In general, a file is a sequence of bits, bytes, or records whose


meaning is defined by the file creator and user. Every File has a
logical location where they are located for storage and retrieval.

Table of Content:

Objective of File management System


Here are the main objectives of the file management system:

 It provides I/O support for a variety of storage device types.


 Minimizes the chances of lost or destroyed data
 Helps OS to standardized I/O interface routines for user
processes.
 It provides I/O support for multiple users in a multiuser systems
environment.

Properties of a File System


Here, are important properties of a file system:

 Files are stored on disk or other storage and do not disappear


when a user logs off.
 Files have names and are associated with access permission
that permits controlled sharing.
 Files could be arranged or more complex structures to reflect the
relationship between them.

File structure
A File Structure needs to be predefined format in such a way that
an operating system understands. It has an exclusively defined
structure, which is based on its type.

Three types of files structure in OS:

 A text file: It is a series of characters that is organized in lines.


 An object file: It is a series of bytes that is organized into blocks.
 A source file: It is a series of functions and processes.

File Attributes
A file has a name and data. Moreover, it also stores meta information
like file creation date and time, current size, last modified date, etc. All
this information is called the attributes of a file system.

Here, are some important File attributes used in OS:

 Name: It is the only information stored in a human-readable


form.
 Identifier: Every file is identified by a unique tag number within a
file system known as an identifier.
 Location: Points to file location on device.
 Type: This attribute is required for systems that support various
types of files.
 Size. Attribute used to display the current file size.
 Protection. This attribute assigns and controls the access rights
of reading, writing, and executing the file.
 Time, date and security: It is used for protection, security, and
also used for monitoring
File Type
It refers to the ability of the operating system to differentiate various
types of files like text files, binary, and source files. However,
Operating systems like MS_DOS and UNIX has the following type of
files:

Character Special File


It is a hardware file that reads or writes data character by character,
like mouse, printer, and more.

Ordinary files
 These types of files stores user information.
 It may be text, executable programs, and databases.
 It allows the user to perform operations like add, delete, and
modify.

Directory Files
 Directory contains files and other related information about those
files. Its basically a folder to hold and organize multiple files.

Special Files
 These files are also called device files. It represents physical
devices like printers, disks, networks, flash drive, etc.

Functions of File
 Create file, find space on disk, and make an entry in the
directory.
 Write to file, requires positioning within the file
 Read from file involves positioning within the file
 Delete directory entry, regain disk space.
 Reposition: move read/write position.
Commonly used terms in File systems
Field
This element stores a single value, which can be static or variable
length.

DATABASE
Collection of related data is called a database. Relationships among
elements of data are explicit.

FILES
Files is the collection of similar record which is treated as a single
entity.

RECORD
A Record type is a complex data type that allows the programmer to
create a new data type with the desired column structure. Its groups
one or more columns to form a new data type. These columns will
have their own names and data type.

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