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File systems

This document provides a comprehensive list of file systems, including modern, legacy, and specialized ones used across different operating systems and storage devices.

1. Modern File Systems

Modern Windows:

  • NTFS (New Technology File System):

    • Robust, supports journaling, ACLs, and large volumes.

  • exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table):

    • Optimized for flash drives and supports large files without journaling.

  • FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32-bit):

    • Commonly used on portable drives and older systems.

Modern Linux/Unix:

  • ext4 (Fourth Extended File System):

    • Widely used on Linux, supports journaling and large volumes.

  • XFS:

    • High-performance journaling file system.

  • Btrfs (B-tree File System):

    • Features copy-on-write, snapshots, and self-healing.

  • ZFS (Zettabyte File System):

    • Known for scalability, data integrity, and snapshots.

Modern macOS:

  • APFS (Apple File System):

    • Optimized for flash storage, supports snapshots and cloning.

  • HFS+ (Hierarchical File System Plus):

    • Older macOS file system, now replaced by APFS.

2. Legacy File Systems

Legacy Windows:

  • FAT16 (File Allocation Table 16-bit):

    • Used on DOS and early Windows systems.

  • FAT12 (File Allocation Table 12-bit):

    • Designed for floppy disks and small storage devices.

  • HPFS (High-Performance File System):

    • Used on OS/2, briefly supported by Windows NT.

Legacy Linux/Unix:

  • ext2 (Second Extended File System):

    • Predecessor to ext3, no journaling.

  • ext3 (Third Extended File System):

    • Added journaling to ext2.

  • ReiserFS:

    • Journaling file system, popular in early Linux distributions.

  • UFS (Unix File System):

    • Common on older Unix systems.

Legacy macOS:

  • MFS (Macintosh File System):

    • Original Mac file system, replaced by HFS.

  • HFS (Hierarchical File System):

    • Predecessor to HFS+.

3. Specialized File Systems

  • ISO 9660:

    • Standard for optical disc media (CD/DVD).

  • UDF (Universal Disk Format):

    • Successor to ISO 9660, supports rewritable media.

  • JFFS2 (Journaling Flash File System 2):

    • Designed for flash memory.

  • YAFFS (Yet Another Flash File System):

    • Optimized for NAND flash.

  • F2FS (Flash-Friendly File System):

    • Designed specifically for flash storage.

  • tmpfs:

    • Temporary file system stored in RAM.

4. Distributed File Systems

  • NFS (Network File System):

    • Allows file sharing across networks.

  • CIFS (Common Internet File System):

    • Used for file sharing in Windows environments.

  • AFS (Andrew File System):

    • Distributed file system with strong authentication.

  • CephFS:

    • Scalable file system designed for distributed storage.

  • GlusterFS:

    • High-performance, distributed file system.

5. Older or Niche File Systems

  • a.out:

    • Early Unix executable format.

  • COFF (Common Object File Format):

    • Used in early Unix and embedded systems.

  • MZ (DOS Executable Format):

    • Used on DOS .exe files.

  • LE/LX:

    • Used in OS/2 for device drivers.

  • PEF (Preferred Executable Format):

    • Used on classic Mac OS (PowerPC).

  • XCOFF (Extended COFF):

    • IBM AIX-specific file format.

  • FATX:

    • Used on Xbox consoles.

Example Commands for File System Analysis

  • fsck:

    • Repairs file system inconsistencies.

  • mount:

    • Mounts file systems for use.

  • lsblk:

    • Lists information about block devices.

  • file:

    • Identifies file types and formats.

  • blkid:

    • Displays UUIDs and types of file systems on devices.

This list provides an overview of file systems and their contexts.

Last modified: 19 January 2025
XCOFF (Extended Common Object File Format)APFS (Apple File System)