Unit 2: File Systems (Secondary Storage Management):

File Concept:

Question: What is the fundamental concept in file systems?

Answer: The fundamental concept in file systems is organizing and storing data in a structured manner to facilitate efficient retrieval and management.

 User’s and System Programmer’s View of File System:

Question: How does a user perceive the file system?

Answer: From a user's perspective, the file system appears as a hierarchy of directories and files, providing an organized way to store and retrieve data.

 

Question: What is the system programmer's view of the file system?

Answer: System programmers view the file system as a set of modules and algorithms responsible for managing storage, ensuring data integrity, and supporting user-level operations.

Hard Disk Organization, Disk Formatting, and File System Creation:

Question: What is the role of hard disk organization in file systems?

Answer: Hard disk organization involves structuring data on storage devices to optimize access and retrieval, facilitating efficient file storage.

 

Question: Why is disk formatting necessary before creating a file system?

Answer: Disk formatting prepares the storage medium by establishing the necessary data structures, such as file allocation tables, before creating a file system. 

 

Question: What are the key steps in creating a file system?

Answer: Creating a file system involves initializing disk structures, defining file system parameters, and setting up data structures for efficient file management.

Disk Space Allocation Methods:

Question: Name three disk space allocation methods used in file systems.

Answer: Contiguous allocation, linked allocation, and indexed allocation are three disk space allocation methods.

 

Question: How does contiguous allocation work?

Answer: Contiguous allocation assigns a continuous block of disk space to a file, improving sequential access but potentially leading to fragmentation.

 

Question: Explain the concept of linked allocation.

Answer: Linked allocation connects blocks of a file through pointers, allowing for flexibility in storage but resulting in increased overhead.

 

Question: What is the role of indexing in disk space allocation?

Answer: Indexing uses a separate index structure to store file addresses, improving random access speed and overcoming some limitations of other allocation methods.

Disk Partitioning and Mounting:

Question: Why is disk partitioning important in file systems?

Answer: Disk partitioning divides a physical disk into logical segments, allowing for better organization, data isolation, and improved system performance.

 

Question: What is the purpose of mounting in file systems?

Answer: Mounting integrates a file system into the directory hierarchy, enabling the operating system to access and manage the files stored in that file system.

Directory Structures, File Protection:

Question: How do directory structures organize files?

Answer: Directory structures create a hierarchy of folders to organize and categorize files based on their content or purpose.

 

Question: Why is file protection important in a file system?

Answer: File protection ensures that only authorized users have the necessary permissions to access, modify, or delete files, enhancing data security.

Virtual and Remote File Systems:

Question: What is a virtual file system?

Answer: A virtual file system abstracts different file systems, presenting a unified interface to applications regardless of the underlying storage structures.

 

Question: What characterizes a remote file system?

Answer: A remote file system allows access to files stored on a distant server over a network, enabling remote file management.

 

Question: Explain the concept of linked allocation.

Answer: Linked allocation connects blocks of a file through pointers, allowing for flexibility in storage but resulting in increased overhead.

 

Question: What is the role of indexing in disk space allocation?

Answer: Indexing uses a separate index structure to store file addresses, improving random access speed and overcoming some limitations of other allocation methods.

Case Studies of File Systems in Unix/Linux & Windows:

Question: Name a file system used in Unix/Linux.

Answer: The Ext4 file system is commonly used in Unix/Linux environments.

 

Question: What is a prevalent file system in Windows operating systems?

Answer: NTFS (New Technology File System) is a commonly used file system in Windows operating systems.

System Calls for File Management:

Question: What is the purpose of system calls in file management?

Answer: System calls provide a programming interface for applications to interact with the operating system for file-related operations, such as reading, writing, and creating files.

 

Question: Name a system call used in Unix/Linux for file management.

Answer: The open() system call in Unix/Linux is commonly used for opening and creating files.

Note: These questions and answers cover key aspects of the provided syllabus, offering a foundation for understanding file systems, disk management, and file-related operations in operating systems.