What is a metadata file system

At this time we have a clear picture of what metadata is, and what a File system is, and should therefore be able to start consider metadata file systems.

First of all, a metadata file system has a lot of things in common with regular file systems. A metadata file system still need the same set of algorithms, fore locate a given file in a set of sectors, and the functions to delete the file, and so on.

Where a metadata file system differs from regular file system, is the way users can arrange the files, and most of all the which facilities the file system provides for searching for a given file.

As you might have guessed a metadata file system dose not use directories to arrange files[1] [2] [11], actually can you think of it as if all the files in your file system are located in one folder. Instead of using folders to organize the files, it uses metadata. To describe how a metadata file system works, I will describe how you as a user should perform some common tasks:

Locate a file

Suppose I would like to locate the very document I'am writing on right now, in a metadata file system. I would ask the file system to show me all the documents which apply to the following metadata: nus⁵, cs2106⁶, metadata. This would result in a list of only a very few document due I only have a few documents which apply to those metadata.

Create a new file

Suppose I just written a document in OpenOffice, and would like save it. If this is done using a regular file system, a dialog box will be provided where you can select the folder and file name for your new file. In the same manner using a metadata file system you should be provided with a dialog box where you can enter and/or select the metadata which applies to your document.

Move a file

Simply change the metadata through the interface the file system frontend provides.