How does File Management work

A file system (FS) is a component of the operating system that provides the organization of creation, storage, and access to named data sets : files.

File System

One of the main tasks of the operating system is to provide user comfort when working with data stored on disks . To do this, the operating system replaces the physical structure of the stored data with an easy-to-use logical model, which is implemented in the form of a directory tree that is displayed in utilities such as Norton Commander , Far Manager, or Windows Explorer . The basic element of this model is a file that, like the file system as a whole , can be characterized by both its logical and physical structure.

File management

Files are stored in memory regardless of power source. An exception is an electronic disk when a structure is created in the operating system that simulates a file system .

A file system (FS) is a component of the operating system that provides the organization of creation, storage, and access to named data sets : files .

The file system includes:

•             The collection of all files on disk.

•             Sets of data structures used to manage files ( file directories, file descriptors, disk occupied and free space allocation tables).

•             A complex of system software that implements various operations on files : create, destroy, read, write, naming, search.

The tasks solved by the FS depend on the method of organizing the computing process as a whole. The simplest type is FS on single-user and single-program operating systems. The main functions in such an FS are intended to solve the following problems:

•             File naming.

•             The program interface for applications .

•             Mapping the logical model of the FS to the physical organization of the data warehouse.

•             FS stability against power failures, hardware and software errors.

The tasks FS are complicated in multitasking operating systems that are designed to function as a single user, but provide the ability to run multiple processes simultaneously. A new task is added to the tasks listed above: share a file from multiple processes . The file in this case is a shared resource , which means that the FS must solve the entire complex of problems associated with those resources. In particular: means should be provided to lock the file and its parts, match copies, prevent runs, eliminate deadlocks. In multi-user systemsAnother task arises: protecting files from unauthorized access by another user.

The FS functions , working as part of a network operating system, they become even more complex; you need to organize the protection of one user's files against unauthorized access by another.

The main objective of the file system and its corresponding file management system is to organize a convenient organized management of files: instead of low-level access to data indicating specific physical addresses of the registry that we need, logical access is used with the name and record of the file.

The terms " file system " and " file management system " must be distinguished : the first has to do with the principles of access to data organized as files. And the second is related to the specific implementation of the file system, that is, this is a set of software modules that provide work with files on a specific operating system.

File types

Regular files - contain arbitrary information that the user enters into them or that is formed as a result of the work of the system and the user's programs. The content of a normal file is determined by the application that works with it.

Normal files can be of two types:

1.            Software (executable): these are programs written in the operating system's command language and perform some system functions (they have .exe, .com, .bat extensions).

2.            Data files : all other types of files: text and graphic documents, spreadsheets, databases, etc.

The directories are on the one hand, a group of files combined user for some reasons (for example, files containing game programs or files that make up a software package) and on the other hand, this is a special type of file containing system help information about a set of files grouped by users according to some informal attribute (file type, its location on disk, access rights, creation and modification date).

The special files are fictitious files associated with input / output are used to unify the file access mechanism and external devices. The special files allow the user to perform E / S via the usual read or write commands from files. These commands are first processed by the FS programs and then at some stage of the query execution the operating system turns into commands to control the corresponding device (PRN, LPT1 for the printer port - the symbolic names for the operating system are files, - USB for keyboard).

The file management is given in the organization, storage and access to the sets of these, so that the fulfill their duties to ensure the care and protection of the information they handle. That is why it is important to know and apply this type of operation.