Filesystem Formats
See also Linux Filesystem formats
TLDR: Filesystem formats define how data is organized, stored, and accessed on storage devices, such as hard drives, SSDs, and USBs. Each format has unique features and performance characteristics tailored for specific use cases, from general-purpose computing to high-performance applications. Common filesystems include EXT4, XFS, and Btrfs, each offering a balance of stability, speed, and advanced features like snapshots and journaling.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_system
The EXT4 filesystem, introduced in 2008, is one of the most widely used formats in Linux distributions, offering reliability, journaling support, and compatibility with older EXT3 and EXT2 filesystems. For high-performance and scalability, XFS, originally developed in 1994 by SGI, excels in handling large files and parallel I/O operations, making it ideal for enterprise workloads. Btrfs, introduced in 2009, is a modern filesystem focusing on features like built-in Linux RAID, snapshots, and Linux self-healing capabilities, catering to advanced storage management needs.
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/filesystems/index.html
Other specialized formats include FAT32 and exFAT for cross-platform compatibility, ZFS for robust data integrity and high scalability, and NTFS for seamless integration with Windows. Choosing the right filesystem format depends on factors like performance, filesystem compatibility, and data integrity requirements. Continuous development ensures that Linux filesystems evolve to meet the demands of modern computing, including cloud environments and large-scale storage systems.
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/filesystems/ext4/index.html