Operating System Assignment

Session: 2021 – 2025

Submitted by:
Nayab Suleman 2125110100

Supervised by:
Sir Abuzar

Department of Computer Science

Lahore College for Women University
Lahore, Pakistan
 File Systems in Operating System
What is file system :
A file system in an operating system is a structured
method for organizing and storing computer data. It manages the creation,
modification, and retrieval of files and provides a hierarchical structure to
organize data into directories and subdirectories. The file system also
incorporates mechanisms for file access control, ensuring data integrity and
facilitating efficient storage and retrieval of information.

Different file systems :

1. FAT (File Allocation Table)

Origin and History: FAT file system has its roots in the early days of personal
computing, initially introduced in 1977. It was a standard file system for MS-DOS
and later became widely adopted in various Windows operating systems.
Key Characteristics:
 File Allocation Table: Central data structure that keeps track of the clusters
allocated to each file.
 Simple Structure: Straightforward design with a directory table and file
allocation table.
 Compatibility: Supported by various operating systems, making it a widely
used format for USB drives and memory cards.
Advantages:
 Simplicity: Easy to implement and understand.
 Compatibility: Can be read and written by almost all operating systems.
Disadvantages:
 Limited Features: Lack of advanced features like journaling and
permissions.
 Performance: May experience performance issues with large volumes or
files.
2. NTFS (New Technology File System)
Development and Evolution: NTFS was introduced by Microsoft in 1993 with
Windows NT. It has undergone several revisions, with each Windows release
bringing improvements and additional features.
Features and Improvements:
 Security: Support for access control lists (ACLs) and file permissions.
 Reliability: Journaling to improve reliability in case of system crashes.
 Advanced Metadata: Support for larger file sizes and volume sizes.
Use Cases and Limitations:
 Windows Ecosystem: Primary file system for modern Windows operating
systems.
 Limitations: Limited support in non-Windows environments.

3. ext4 (Fourth Extended File System)

Origin in the Linux World: The ext4 file system is the successor to ext3 and is the
default file system for many Linux distributions.
Design Principles:
 Backward Compatibility: Designed to be backward-compatible with ext3
and ext2.
 Journaling: Provides improved reliability and faster recovery in case of
system crashes.
 Extents: Efficient handling of large files.
Performance and Scalability:
 Performance: Improved performance over ext3, especially in terms of file
allocation and directory structure.
 Scalability: Handles large file systems and files efficiently.

4. HFS+ (Hierarchical File System Plus)

Associated with Apple Systems: HFS+ is the file system used by Apple in its
macOS operating system. It was introduced in 1998 and served as the default
file system until the transition to APFS.
Unique Features and Compatibility:
 Metadata: Stores extensive metadata for files.
  Compatibility: Supports both Mac and Windows systems.
Transition to APFS: With the introduction of APFS (Apple File System), HFS+ has
been gradually phased out, particularly in newer versions of macOS.
5. ZFS (Zettabyte File System)
Development by Sun Microsystems: ZFS was developed by Sun Microsystems
and introduced in 2005. It's known for its advanced features and emphasis on
data integrity.
Advanced Features:
 Copy-on-Write: Efficient snapshotting and cloning of file systems.
 Data Integrity: Built-in checksums to detect and correct errors.
Application in Enterprise Environments:
 Storage Pools: Allows for flexible storage allocation.
 Data Deduplication: Reduces storage requirements in enterprise settings.

6. exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)

Focus on Portability and Interoperability: exFAT was introduced by Microsoft to
address the limitations of FAT in handling large files and volumes.
Usage in External Storage Devices:
 Flash Drives: Commonly used in flash drives and external hard drives.
 Interoperability: Designed for compatibility with various operating
systems.
Limitations and Criticisms:
 Patent Issues: exFAT is proprietary, and its use may be subject to licensing
fees.
 Not Ideal for System Drives: Not recommended for use on system drives
due to certain limitations.

7. APFS (Apple File System):

Introduction and Development:
Introduction:
APFS is the default file system for Apple devices, introduced in 2017.
Development: Developed by Apple to replace HFS+ and address modern
storage needs.
Key Features:
 Snapshotting: Supports efficient snapshots for data backup and system
restore.
 Cloning and Copy-on-Write: Allows for space-efficient copying of files and
data.
 Encryption: Provides native support for file and metadata encryption.
Use Cases:
 Apple Ecosystem: Primarily used in macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
 Performance: Optimized for flash and SSD storage, offering improved
performance.
Advantages:
 Efficiency: Optimized for modern storage technologies and improved data
integrity.
 Compatibility: Designed to work seamlessly across Apple devices.
Transition from HFS+:
 Phasing Out HFS+: Apple has been gradually phasing out HFS+ in favor of
APFS.
 Compatibility Concerns: APFS is not backward-compatible with HFS+,
requiring a transition process during macOS upgrades.

8. ISO 9660:
Overview:
 Standardization: ISO 9660 is an international standard for file systems
used on optical disc media.
 Media Types: Commonly used for CD-ROMs, DVDs, and other optical
media.
Key Features:
 File Naming: Follows a restricted set of characters for file and directory
names.
 Compatibility: Designed for cross-platform compatibility, allowing discs to
be readable on different operating systems.
Limitations:
 File Size and Volume Limitations: Original ISO 9660 had limitations on file
sizes and volumes.
  No Dynamic Writing: Once written, the contents of an ISO 9660 disc
cannot be easily modified or updated.
Extensions and Variants:
 Joliet Extension: An extension to ISO 9660 that allows for long file names
on Windows.
 Rock Ridge Extension: An extension for Unix/Linux systems, providing
additional features.
 Use Cases:
 Archiving Data: Commonly used for archiving and distributing software,
multimedia, and other data on optical discs.
 Legacy Support: Although older, ISO 9660 remains widely supported for
legacy reasons.
9. UDF (Universal Disk Format):
Overview:
 Standardization: UDF is an open standard file system defined by the
Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA).
 Media Types: Designed for optical media like DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and
other rewritable optical storage.
Versions:
 UDF 1.0 to UDF 2.01: Early versions primarily used for read-only media.
 UDF 2.50 and Later: Added support for writable and rewritable media,
improving compatibility.
Key Features:
 Compatibility: Designed for cross-platform compatibility, ensuring
readability on various operating systems.
 Writable and Rewritable Media: Supports both write-once and rewritable
optical discs.
 Metadata: Includes metadata for file and directory information, similar to
other file systems.
File System Structure:
 Logical Volume: Organized as a single logical volume on the disc.
 Directories and Files: Supports a hierarchical structure with directories
and files.
 File Naming: Allows long file names and Unicode character encoding.
 Use Cases:
  Optical Media Storage: Commonly used for DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and other
optical storage formats.
 Data Exchange: Suitable for data interchange between different operating
systems.
Versions Beyond UDF 2.50:
 UDF 2.60 and 2.61: Introduced additional enhancements and clarified
specifications.
 UDF 2.50: Widely adopted for DVD and Blu-ray media.
Advantages:
 Flexibility: Adaptable to different storage media and supports rewritable
discs.
 Interoperability: Designed to be compatible with various operating
systems.
Limitations:
 Complexity: UDF can be more complex than simpler file systems like ISO
9660.
 Not for Hard Drives: Primarily designed for optical media; not commonly
used on hard drives.

10. XFS:
Overview:
XFS is a high-performance file system designed for Linux systems,
known for its scalability and efficient handling of large files and volumes.
Advantages:
XFS offers excellent scalability and performance, making it suitable
for applications with large storage requirements; however, its complexity may
require careful configuration.
Limitations:
While excelling in scalability and performance, XFS may be less
suitable for smaller file systems due to its complexity and potential overhead.
11. Btrfs (B-tree File System):
Overview:
 Btrfs, or the B-tree File System, is a next-generation file system for
Linux, emphasizing features such as snapshots, data integrity, and pooling.
Advantages:
Btrfs provides advanced features like snapshotting for data
protection, support for pooling, and data checksums, enhancing overall data
management capabilities.
Limitations:
Despite its innovative features, Btrfs has undergone refinement, and
stability concerns have been raised in certain use cases, making it important to
assess suitability for specific environments.
12. ReFS (Resilient File System):
Overview:
ReFS, or Resilient File System, is a file system developed by Microsoft
as a successor to NTFS, focusing on enhanced data integrity, availability, and
reliability.
Advantages:
ReFS introduces features such as data integrity through checksums,
enhanced fault tolerance, and improved availability, making it suitable for
scenarios demanding robust file system resilience.
Limitations:
While offering advanced data protection, ReFS may lack certain
features present in NTFS, and its adoption has been primarily seen in specific
scenarios, such as storage spaces and certain Windows Server configurations.
COMPARISON

File Origin/ Key

System Introduction Features Advantages Limitations Use Cases
FAT 1977 Simple Simplicity, Limited USB
structure, Compatibility features, drives,
compatibility Performance Memory
with large cards
volumes
NTFS 1993 Security, Security, Limited Modern
(Windows Reliability, Reliability support Windows
NT) Advanced outside OS
Metadata Windows
ext4 2008 (Linux) Journaling, Improved N/A Many
Extents performance, Linux
Scalability distributio
ns
HFS+ 1998 Metadata, Compatibility Transitioning macOS
(macOS) Compatibility to APFS (legacy)
ZFS 2005 (Sun Copy-on- Advanced Resource- Enterprise
Microsyste Write, Data features, Data intensive storage
ms) Integrity integrity
exFAT Introduced Portability, Portability, Proprietary, External
by Microsoft Interoperabili Interoperability Licensing storage
ty issues devices
APFS 2017 (Apple) Snapshotting, Efficiency, Compatibility macOS,
Cloning, Compatibility concerns with iOS,
Encryption HFS+ watchOS,
tvOS
ISO Internationa Compatibility, Cross-platform File size and CD-ROMs,
9660 l standard File Naming compatibility volume DVDs
limitations
UDF OSTA Writable and Flexibility, Complexity, DVDs, Blu-
standard Rewritable, Interoperability Not for hard ray Discs
Compatibility drives
XFS Linux high- Scalability, Scalability, Complexity for Linux
performanc Large files Performance smaller systems
e systems
Btrfs Next-gen Snapshotting, Advanced Stability Linux
Linux file Data integrity features, Data concerns systems
system checksums
ReFS Microsoft Data Enhanced data Lack of certain Specific
(successor integrity, integrity NTFS features Windows
to NTFS) Fault Server
tolerance configurati
on