Dictionary · Certification Terminology
File System
Systems · Beginner
The method an operating system uses to organize, name, and retrieve files on a storage device. Examples include NTFS, APFS, and ext4.
The drive is the hardware. This is the set of rules for folders, names, and permissions on that hardware. Different operating systems prefer different rules.
Example: A Windows volume formatted with NTFS can store permissions on each file. A small USB stick may use a simpler format for compatibility.
Common misconception
- Formatting creates this structure. It also erases the previous one, so it is not a harmless refresh.