File Systems
A file system is a method and data structure that an operating system uses to control how data is stored and retrieved on a storage device, such as a hard drive or SSD. It organizes files into a hierarchical structure of directories and provides metadata like file names, sizes, and permissions. Common examples include NTFS, ext4, and FAT32, each with different features for performance, reliability, and compatibility.
Developers should learn about file systems to understand how data persistence works in applications, optimize storage performance, and handle file operations efficiently in software development. This is crucial for tasks like database management, file I/O in programming, and system administration, especially when dealing with large datasets or cross-platform compatibility.