P4: Unix File system
The Unix file system is a hierarchical structure used to organize and manage files and
directories in Unix-like operating systems. It provides a unified way to access and store
data on disk drives. Here are key aspects of the Unix file system:
### 1. **Hierarchical Structure:**
- The Unix file system is organized as a tree structure with a root directory ("/") at the top.
Directories contain files and other directories, forming a hierarchy.
### 2. **Root Directory ("/"):**
- The root directory is the top-level directory in the file system. All other directories and
files are organized beneath it.
### 3. **Directories:**
- Directories are containers for files and other directories. They help in organizing and
structuring data. The current directory is denoted by "." and the parent directory by "..".
### 4. **Files:**
- Files contain data or executable programs. They are organized within directories based
on their content or purpose.
### 5. **Pathnames:**
- Pathnames uniquely identify the location of a file or directory in the file system. Absolute
pathnames start from the root ("/"), while relative pathnames are specified relative to the
current directory.
### 6. **File Permissions:**
- Each file and directory in Unix has associated permissions that control who can read,
write, or execute them. Permissions are typically represented as a set of three characters
for the owner, group, and others.
### 7. **Inodes:**
- Inodes (index nodes) are data structures that store metadata about files and directories,
including ownership, permissions, timestamps, and pointers to data blocks. Each file or
directory has a unique inode number.
### 8. **Mount Points:**
- Unix systems can mount additional file systems at specific directories. These mounted
file systems become accessible as subdirectories under the mount point.
### 9. **File System Types:**
- Unix supports various file system types, including ext4, ext3, ext2, and others. Each file
system type has its own features and characteristics.
### 10. **Commands for File System Operations:**
- Unix provides a set of commands for navigating and managing the file system, including
`ls` (list files), `cd` (change directory), `cp` (copy), `mv` (move or rename), `rm`
(remove), and others.
### 11. **Links:**
- Unix supports hard links and symbolic links. Hard links point directly to the inode of a
file, while symbolic links are references to the file's pathname.
### 12. **File System Hierarchy Standard (FHS):**
- The File System Hierarchy Standard defines the directory structure and organization in
Unix-like systems, ensuring consistency across different distributions.
Understanding the Unix file system is fundamental for users and administrators to
navigate, organize, and manage files and directories efficiently. The hierarchical structure
and the flexibility provided by Unix commands contribute to a powerful and versatile file
system design.
