Re: [9fans] unique identity to virtual files

[erik quanstrom <quanstro@quanstro.net>]

> The subject probably doesn't explain at all well.
> 
> I have a program (A) I have written, it can optionally run atop of a
> a synthetic filesystem (B) which expands some files into directories
> of files.
> 
> The A needs to be able to tell the difference between a
> 'real' directory and one generated by B.
> 
> I could use the muid and uid and gid as magic strings, alternatively I
> could use the dev or/and type fields from stat.
> 
> Anyone have any strong feelings on the ``right'' way to do this?
> 

i don't know about "strong" feelings.  but i would think that you
would want A to not have to know about which files have been
expanded.  this defeats the purpose of B, which is to hide the
details of what it does behind a fs interface.

perhaps this means that you require A to run on B.  or perhaps
you fold B into A so that it knows the details of which file is which.

if you stick to the current design, the file name might be the easiest
to modify, perhaps followed by the Qid.

- erik