File system formats

A file system format is used to manage the storage of files.

Terminology

• File entry (file system entry): an object that represent an element within the file system, such as a file or directory. A file system typically stores metadata of a file entry, such as the name, size, permissions, date and time values, and location of the content.
• Data fork (or data stream): a file system object that represents the content of a file entry. NTFS and HFS support multiple data forks (or data streams) for an individual file entry.
• Extended attribute: A file system object that represents additional (or extended) metadata of an individual file entry.
• Reparse point: a file system object that redirects to another location or implementation (filter driver), such as Windows Overlay Filter (WOF) compression. NTFS and ReFS support reparse points.

Formats

• Apple File System (APFS)
• Extended File System (ext)
• Extensible File Allocation Table (exFAT)
• File Allocation Table (FAT)
• Hierarchical File System (HFS)
• Macintosh File System (MFS)
• New Technologies File System (NTFS)