1.) Single-Level Directory:
A Single-Level Directory structure is the simplest form of file management, where all files are stored in a single central directory called as root directory.
- There is no hierarchy or grouping of files, meaning all files exist at the same level.
- It is easy to support and understand.
- File names must be unique to avoid conflicts.
- It is difficult to manage large amount of files.
- File creation, searching, deletion is very simple.
How it works:
In this system, every file on the system resides in the same directory. There is no division of files into subdirectories, so every file is listed directly under the root directory. This structure is easy to implement but does not scale well as the number of files grows.
Use Cases:
- Suitable for small systems with only a handful of files.
- Can be used in simple embedded systems or systems where files are few and unlikely to grow in number.
Drawbacks:
- Limited organization: As the system grows, finding specific files becomes difficult without subdirectories.
- No grouping: Files cannot be grouped logically, so file management can become messy.
- File name collisions: Multiple files with the same name can’t exist since there is only one directory level.
2.) Multi-Level Directory:
A multi-level directory structure allows directories within directories, enabling a tree-like organization of files.
- Files are grouped into subdirectories for better management.
Characteristics:
- Enables nesting of directories.
- Reduces file name conflicts.
- Easier to manage and search files due to logical grouping.
- Scalable for large systems.
- Increased complexity in navigation and management.
3.) Hierarchical Directory
A hierarchical directory structure is an extension of the multi-level structure, with a strict tree-like hierarchy.
- It organizes files and directories into a root directory.
Key Characteristics:
- The root directory serves as the base of the hierarchy.
- Each directory can contain files and subdirectories.
- Absolute paths or relative paths are used for file access.
- Very scalable, supports large numbers of files and users.
- Provides a clear and organized file system structure.
- Simplifies security and access control with inheritance from parent directories.
