Wiktionary
alt. 1 A physical system for organising documents, as in a library. 2 (context computing English) A method of organizing blocks on a storage device into files and directories. 3 (context computing English) A set of blocks which are so organized. n. 1 A physical system for organising documents, as in a library. 2 (context computing English) A method of organizing blocks on a storage device into files and directories. 3 (context computing English) A set of blocks which are so organized.
WordNet
n. a system of classifying into files (usually arranged alphabetically) [syn: filing system]
Wikipedia
In computing, a file system (or filesystem) is used to control how data is stored and retrieved. Without a file system, information placed in a storage medium would be one large body of data with no way to tell where one piece of information stops and the next begins. By separating the data into pieces and giving each piece a name, the information is easily isolated and identified. Taking its name from the way paper-based information systems are named, each group of data is called a " file". The structure and logic rules used to manage the groups of information and their names is called a "file system".
There are many different kinds of file systems. Each one has different structure and logic, properties of speed, flexibility, security, size and more. Some file systems have been designed to be used for specific applications. For example, the ISO 9660 file system is designed specifically for optical discs.
File systems can be used on numerous different types of storage devices that use different kinds of media. The most common storage device in use today is a hard disk drive. Other kinds of media that are used include flash memory, magnetic tapes, and optical discs. In some cases, such as with tmpfs, the computer's main memory ( random-access memory, RAM) is used to create a temporary file system for short-term use.
Some file systems are used on local data storage devices; others provide file access via a network protocol (for example, NFS, SMB, or 9P clients). Some file systems are "virtual", meaning that the supplied "files" (called virtual files) are computed on request (e.g. procfs) or are merely a mapping into a different file system used as a backing store. The file system manages access to both the content of files and the metadata about those files. It is responsible for arranging storage space; reliability, efficiency, and tuning with regard to the physical storage medium are important design considerations.
Usage examples of "file system".
Using system calls that dug directly into the file system, she found a binary file that had been created by Fire, only last night.
This file system is tightly integrated into Windows security -- it is what allows access levels to be set from the directory down to individual files within a directory.
It is very different, far more like a badly maintained file system organized by messy and confusing maps.
And yet the basic kernel works to the point that Randy can look at the file system and makes sure it's intact.
He had nothing else to do, so he started setting up a file system, one for each property on the place.
Would it be possible to create a connection via a beam from Amspace, using the access codes we've got for the file system?
It would seem that the mass of data should be categorized and indexed onto a computer data file system, but he always claimed he couldn't think abstract and never bought a terminal.
And yet the basic kernel works to the point that Randy can look at the file system and makes sure it’.
She checked her mental file system and realized it was Rovar of Hemiptera.
For the most part, they're supposed to act on my requests when I make requests, and to otherwise just keep an orderly file system.
For a while, people made it with part-time exercise and home model massage and feeding racks, but it wasn't long before they set up the Central File system.