20 File System Interview Questions and Answers

The file system is an integral part of any computer system. It is responsible for storing and organizing all the files and data on a computer. When applying for a position that involves working with files and data, you can expect to be asked some questions about file systems. In this article, we discuss some of the most common file system questions and how you should answer them.

File System Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked File System interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is a file system in computer science?

A file system is the method by which files are organized on a computer. It is responsible for keeping track of where files are stored, and providing a way to access them. There are many different file systems in use today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

2. Can you explain the difference between a file and a directory?

A file is a single unit of data that has a name and can be stored on a computer. A directory is a collection of files that are organized in a hierarchy.

3. Can you give me some examples of common filesystems used on computers today?

Some common filesystems used on computers today include NTFS, FAT32, and EXT4.

4. What are some benefits of using a journaling filesystem over a non-journaling one?

There are several benefits of using a journaling filesystem over a non-journaling one. First, journaling can help protect your data in the event of a power outage or system crash, as the journal can be used to replay the sequence of events and restore the filesystem to a consistent state. Second, journaling can improve performance, as it can allow the filesystem to skip certain checks that would otherwise need to be performed. Finally, journaling can provide a higher level of data integrity, as it can help to prevent data corruption.

5. How does a flash drive store data if it doesn’t have a moving head like other hard drives?

Flash drives store data on a chip, which is a type of non-volatile memory. This means that the data is not lost when the power is turned off, as it would be with a traditional hard drive.

6. What do you understand about storage block devices? How can they be used to improve performance?

A storage block device is a type of storage device that is used to store data in blocks. This is in contrast to a file system, which stores data in a file format. Block devices are typically used for storage devices that are accessed frequently, such as hard drives. They can be used to improve performance by allowing the data to be accessed more quickly.

7. Can you explain what a RAID controller is?

A RAID controller is a hardware device that is used to manage data storage in a computer system. RAID controllers are used to improve the performance and reliability of data storage by using multiple disks.

8. What’s the main advantage of having a logical volume manager?

The main advantage of having a logical volume manager is that it allows you to manage your storage more efficiently. With a logical volume manager, you can create logical volumes that span multiple physical devices, making it easier to manage your storage and keep track of your data.

9. Why are symbolic links preferred over hard links for certain scenarios?

Symbolic links are preferred over hard links in certain scenarios because they can reference files that are not on the same file system. Hard links, on the other hand, can only reference files that are on the same file system.

10. Can you explain what an ext4 filesystem is?

Ext4 is a journaling file system for Linux, and it is the successor to the ext3 file system. It is designed to improve performance and to allow for larger file sizes and more flexible storage options.

11. What are the advantages of using ext4 over ext3?

The main advantage of using ext4 over ext3 is that ext4 supports journaling, which ext3 does not. This means that ext4 is more resistant to data corruption in the event of a power failure or system crash. Additionally, ext4 can handle larger file sizes and volumes than ext3, making it a better choice for use with large data sets.

12. Do all operating systems support NTFS? If not, which ones don’t?

No, not all operating systems support NTFS. In particular, older versions of Windows (prior to Windows XP) and versions of Linux prior to 2.6.x do not support NTFS.

13. What is the best way to convert a FAT32 partition into NTFS without losing any data?

The best way to convert a FAT32 partition into NTFS without losing any data is to use a third-party tool like EaseUS Partition Master. This tool will allow you to safely convert your partition without losing any data in the process.

14. What happens when you delete a file from your file system?

When you delete a file from your file system, the file is not actually deleted from your computer. Instead, the file is just marked as being available for overwriting. This means that the space that the file was taking up is now available for new files to be written to. However, the data from the deleted file is still technically on your computer, and can be recovered if someone knows how to do so.

15. What do you understand by the term “file system fragmentation”?

File system fragmentation occurs when files are stored in non-contiguous blocks on a disk. This can happen when a file is initially created, or if it is later modified and grows in size. When fragmentation occurs, it can cause the file system to become less efficient, as the disk head will have to move around more to read all of the blocks that make up a file.

16. What’s the role of a master boot record in a computer system?

The master boot record is a key component in booting up a computer. It is a small section of code that is responsible for loading the operating system. The master boot record is typically located on the first sector of the hard drive.

17. Can you explain the concept of file locking?

File locking is a process that allows a user to lock a file so that no other users can access or modify it. This is often used when multiple users are working on the same file, in order to prevent them from accidentally overwriting each other’s work.

18. What is the relationship between permissions and ownership rights in a file system?

The relationship between permissions and ownership rights in a file system is that ownership rights determine who can change the permissions on a file or directory. Only the owner of a file or directory can change the permissions on it. Permissions determine who can read, write, or execute a file or directory.

19. How would you transfer files larger than 4GB quickly from one machine to another?

One way to do this would be to use a file-sharing service like Dropbox or Google Drive. Another option would be to compress the file into a ZIP file, which would reduce its size and make it easier to transfer.

20. What are some ways to recover deleted files from a disk that hasn’t been formatted?

There are a few ways to recover deleted files from a disk that hasn’t been formatted. One way is to use a data recovery software, which can scan the disk and attempt to recover any deleted files. Another way is to use a file recovery program, which can search for deleted files and attempt to recover them. Finally, you can try to manually recover the files yourself by looking through the disk for any deleted files.