A file system is a way that a computer organizes and stores files on a storage device, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive. In Linux and other Unix-like operating systems, the most commonly used file system is the hierarchical file system (HFS), also known as the “Unix file system” or “Linux file system”.
The HFS is organized in a hierarchical structure, with a single “root” directory at the top, and all other files and directories branching out from there. Each file and directory is represented by an inode, which contains information about the file or directory such as its permissions, timestamps, and location on the storage device.
The HFS also uses a directory tree structure, where the root directory ‘/’ is the top of the tree, and all other directories branches out from there. This makes it easy to navigate and find files and directories, and to organize files in a logical and meaningful way.
There are other file systems that can be used in Linux such as:
ext2, ext3, and ext4: these are the most common file systems used for Linux operating systems. They are journaling file systems, which means that they keep a log of changes made to the file system, making them more robust and less prone to data loss.
XFS: is a high-performance file system that is commonly used for large data storage and high-end workstations.
btrfs: is a newer file system that is designed for advanced data management, such as snapshots and data duplication.
Most modern Linux distributions offer the ability to support multiple file systems, making it easy to choose the file system that is best suited for a particular use case.