What is a dual-boot system, and how do file systems play a role?

Multiple operating systems can run on a single computer thanks to a dual-boot technology. A distinct file system may be used by each operating system (e.g., NTFS for Windows, ext4 for Linux). To gain access to several file systems, compatibility utilities are utilized, such as ntfs-3g for Linux.

What is disk quota in file systems?

In order to regulate how much disk space and inodes a user or group can use, the administrator sets disk quotas. They aid in preventing excessive resource use by individual users.

What is the difference between journaling and logging in file systems?

• Journaling: Focuses on maintaining file system consistency by recording metadata changes before applying them.
• Logging: General-purpose recording of system events and activities, which may include file system operations.

What is lazy writing in file systems?

Deferring writes to disk by storing changes in a memory buffer is known as lazy writing. Performance is enhanced, however data loss during system crashes is a danger.

How does a file system handle bad sectors on a disk?

When a file system encounters bad sectors:

• It marks them as unusable in the allocation table.
• Attempts to relocate data from bad sectors to healthy ones (if possible).
• Tools like chkdsk (Windows) or badblocks (Linux) can identify and handle bad sectors.

What is the difference between block size and cluster size in a file system?

• Block Size: The smallest unit of data that the file system can read or write.
• Cluster Size: A group of contiguous blocks treated as a single allocation unit.
• Larger cluster sizes reduce fragmentation but can waste storage space for small files.

What is the difference between network file systems and distributed file systems?

• Network File System (NFS): Provides access to files over a network as if they were on a local disk.
• Distributed File System (DFS): Distributes files across multiple machines, offering redundancy and scalability (e.g., HDFS for Hadoop).

What is the significance of journaling modes in file systems like ext4?

Journaling modes determine the extent of data protection:

• Writeback: Only metadata is journaled; faster but less safe.
• Ordered: Metadata is journaled; data is written to disk before metadata changes.
• Journal: Both metadata and data are journaled; safest but slower.

What are snapshots in file systems?

Snapshots are read-only copies of a file system at a specific point in time. They are useful for:

• Data recovery.
• Backups.
• Testing changes without affecting the original data.

File systems like ZFS and Btrfs support snapshots.

How does a file system handle sparse files?

Large blank areas (zeroes) in files that the file system does not physically store are known as sparse files. Disk space is saved in this way. Sparse files are handled effectively by programs or file systems such as NTFS and ext4.

What is the difference between physical and logical file systems?

• Physical File System: Manages physical storage devices (e.g., disks).
• Logical File System: Provides an abstraction layer for users and applications, handling operations like file naming and permissions.

How does a file system support compression?

File systems that offer on-the-fly compression include NTFS, ZFS, and Btrfs. Although compressed files take up less disk space, access may necessitate decompression, which could affect performance.