Re: [9fans] portable filesystem (was: spaces in filenames (and filesystems...))

[dexen deVries <dexen.devries@gmail.com>]

On Thursday 28 of April 2011 16:00:53 Digby Tarvin wrote:
> But What I think is really needed for this sort of application is a
> filesystem with:
> 	Minimal restrictions of file size (64 bit addresses)
> 	Maximum versatility in FS topology (hard link support etc)
> 	Minimal restriction on file names (character set, length)
> 	Maximum support for all conceiveable meta-data.
> 
> My off the top of the head solution would be a filesystem were each file
> has two open ended data forks. One for conventional file content, and the
> other used for tagged meta-data. Each OS supporting the filesystem would
> be able to define meta-data fields such that all meta data meaningful to
> the original filesystem could be retained in files copied to the
> removeable system, and mapped to ANSI equivalent standards meta data
> fields where appropriate. File accesses would interpret native metadata
> with fallback to the ANSI as required. I suppose it should even be able to
> suport slashes and nulls in file names, although that would make such
> fules hard to deal with from Unix.
> 
> At least it would be usable as a universal backup and file transfer medium.
> 
> Failing that, a simple and universally adopted filesystem - like FAT, but
> without the stupid limitations, would be a step forward.


long time ago, iso9660 was supplanted/extended in-line by jolliet and/or ufs. 
the new filesystem was interleaved with the iso9660. control structures were 
mostly separate, partly shared; bulk data was just shared.

perhaps something along those lines could be doable with `smart' pendrives 
(like my nokia n900 phone), that would keep all two/three fses in sync.

or, just have two or three filesystems residing at separate addresses 
(partitions?) of block device, but having shared de-duplicating backend like 
venti. so the bulk data doesn't occupy more blocks than needed.


meta: terribly sorry for spamming with those very hairy ideas.


-- 
dexen deVries

[[[↓][→]]]

``In other news, STFU and hack.''
mahmud, in response to Erann Gat's ``How I lost my faith in Lisp''
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2308816