Command Line MagicApr 23, 2023
I made these diagrams to generally explain to a college class how file storage layers work on a drive and now when you delete/format the filesystem the file data remains. I couldn't find one online, so made one. What do you think? Any significant issues?
Show threadCommand Line MagicApr 23, 2023
Version 2 based on your feedback. Thank you.
Show threadCommand Line MagicApr 23, 2023
Version 4. Ok, I'm done for tonight. Thanks all.
Show threadCommand Line MagicApr 23, 2023
Version 6. Binary data -> Raw data encapsulating lower layers. Added VFS and mount point. This is getting too big already.
Show threadWolf480pl

@climagic
I think this picture is close to the limit, if not past it.

It's not possible to visualize all aspects of linux filesystem in a single 2D picture, and with VFS and mountpoints you're already stretching the analogy.

The picture is awesome, don't ruin it by trying to stuff more things into it.

Apr 23, 2023 at 1:49pmWeb
Show threadWolf480plApr 23, 2023

@climagic
as for VFS & mountpoint specifically:

AFAIU they're only involved in metadata operations, once you have an FD and are writing or reading actual bytes in the file they stay out of the way, and that's hard to represent in the picture.

I think their inclusion is a net positive because you already have the block device and its driver, so people might ask "ok but how does /dev/sda1 become /boot", but from the PoV of "which bytes on disk represent what" they're not present.