What is the Difference Between Linux File System and Windows File System?

The Linux and Windows file systems have several key differences:

1. Tree Structure vs. Folders: Linux files are ordered in a tree structure starting with the root directory, while in Windows, files are stored in folders on different data drives like C:, D:, and E:.
2. Files with the same name: In Linux, you can have two files with the same name in the same directory, while in Windows, you cannot have two files with the same name in the same folder.
3. Compatibility: NTFS, the Windows file system, is a proprietary file system developed by Microsoft and primarily used on Windows-based systems. Ext4, the Linux file system, is an open-source file system used primarily on Linux-based systems. While both file systems can technically be read by the other operating system, there may be limitations or compatibility issues.
4. Performance: Both file systems are designed for high-performance storage, but NTFS is generally considered to be faster than ext4 for certain operations. NTFS also supports compression, which can help save disk space but may impact performance.
5. File Attributes: Both NTFS and ext4 support advanced file attributes such as permissions, encryption, and compression. However, NTFS does not support some Linux-specific file attributes, and some Linux distributions may not have full support for NTFS.
6. Journaling: One of the key features of ext4 is its support for journaling, which helps prevent data loss in the event of a system crash or power failure. Ext4 also supports advanced file attributes such as permissions, encryption, and compression, which allows additional metadata to be attached to files and directories.

In summary, Linux and Windows file systems have different structures, performance characteristics, and compatibility features. Linux uses a hierarchical tree structure starting from the root directory, while Windows uses folders on different data drives. Additionally, Linux and Windows file systems have varying levels of support for advanced file attributes and journaling.

Comparative Table: Linux File System vs Windows File System

Here is a table comparing the main differences between Linux and Windows file systems:

In summary, Linux supports a variety of file systems and is bootable from a network drive, while Windows primarily uses NTFS and FAT file systems. Linux organizes files in a hierarchical tree structure, whereas Windows uses drive letters. Additionally, Linux allows case-sensitive file names, while Windows does not.