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There are four types of file in unix
Ordinary files
Directory files
Special files
Links
Ordinary files can contain text, data, or program information. An ordinary file cannot
contain another file, or directory. An ordinary file can be a text file or a binary file. A text file contains
lines of printable characters where every line is terminated with a newline character. A binary file can
contain any of the ASCII characters. Most of the UNIX commands are binary files
Directory files: Directories are containers that can hold files, and other directories. A directory is
actually implemented as a file that has one line for each item contained within the directory. Each line in
a directory file contains only the name of the item, and a numerical reference to the location of the item.
The reference is called an i-number, and is an index to a table known as the i-list. The i-list is a complete
list of all the storage space available to the file system.
Special files Special files represent input/output (i/o) devices, like a tty (terminal), a disk drive, or a
printer. Because UNIX treats such devices as files, some of the commands used to access ordinary files
will also work with device files. This allows for more efficient use of software. Special files can be either
character special files, that deal with streams of characters, or block special files, that operate on larger
blocks of data. Typical block sizes are 512 bytes, 1024 bytes, and 2048 bytes.
Links A link is a pointer to another file. Since a directory is a list of the names and i-numbers of
files, a directory entry can be a hard link, in which the i-number points directly to another file. A hard link
to a file cannot be distinguished from the file itself. When a hard link is made, then the i-numbers of two
different directory file entries point to the same inode. Hence, hard links cannot span across file systems.
A soft link or a symbolic link provides an indirect pointer to a file. A soft link is implemented as a directory
file entry containing a pathname. Soft links are distinguishable from files, and can span across file systems.
Soft links are not supported in all versions of UNIX.
(mihir)
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoUnix File System(UFS)
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What is the system file in Unix?
There is no the system file. There are many files necessary to create a working Unix system.
What has the author Douglas W Topham written?
Douglas W. Topham has written: 'A system V guide to UNIX and XENIX' -- subject(s): UNIX System V (Computer file), XENIX (Computer file) 'The first book of UNIX' 'UNIX and XENIX' -- subject(s): UNIX (Computer file), XENIX
Where can one find information on the UNIX file system?
Information on the UNIX file system can be found in some magazines dedicated to technology such as Science Illustrated. Information can also be found on UNIX's official website.
What file system does Solaris use natively?
Solaris employs the file system called UFS (UNIX file system) for its native file system type.
What is single level directories in unix file system?
Root.
What has the author Rik Farrow written?
Rik Farrow has written: 'UNIX system security' -- subject(s): UNIX (Computer operating system), Computer security, UNIX (Computer file)
How does Unix work as a multi-user operating system?
When a user logs in to a Unix system, the current working directory normally starts at the directory/file
What are the advantages of a Unix file system?
It is a system software and all the processes in the operating system can be controlled by the user.
What do CD command do in unix?
The 'CD' command is not standard for Unix. The 'cd' command, however, will change directories (folders). It is a means of navigating the Unix file system.
What holds information about the layout of blocks and sectors in the unix file system?
Superblocks.
UNIX was one of the first operating systems to implement a file system?
Hierarchical
Explain different types of files in UNIX?
The UNIX operating system consists of Regular Computer files. In addition there are listed file directory , symbolic link file, named pipe file, domain socket file, device file, and doors (computing) file.
