File Systems

FS/2 has been tested, and therefore should be compatible, with the following file system drivers:

• FAT - File Allocation Table (16-bit, files less than 2 GB supported)
  
• FAT32 - File Allocation Table (32-bit, files greater than 2 GB supported)
  
• HPFS - High Performance File System (files less than 2 GB supported
  
• NTFS - New Technology File System (read only)
  
• JFS - Journaled File System (files greater than 2 GB supported)
  
• UDF - Universal Disk Format
  
• LAN - Local Area Network
  
• RAMFS - Random Access Memory File System
  
• CDFS - Compact Disk File System
  
• CDWFS - Compact Disk Write File System (RSJ CD Writer)
  
• TONIGY - An advanced CD file system
  
• TVFS - Toronto Virtual File System
  
• CBSIFS - Carbon Based Software Installable File System
  
• FTPIFS - File Transport Protocol File System (files less than 2 GB supported)
  
• NDFS - Net Drive File System (files less than 2 GB supported)
  
• NDFS32 - Net Drive File System (files greater than 2 GB supported)
  
• ISO - ISO File System (reads CD IOS images)

Other installable file systems (IFS) have been reportedly used with FS/2, such as HPFS386, without any known problems.

FS/2 contains a table of known installable file systems. In the event that a file system is used that is not in the table, it will be catagorized as 'UNKNOWN'. The type file system, as identified in this table, may be displayed by RMB selecting a drive and selecting the Drives->Query menu item.

File System Limitations

The maximum length of the combined path and file name, including the '\' directory separator for nested directories, is 260 characters, which includes the trailing null string terminator.

FAT

• The FAT file system is restricted to a name length of 8 characters plus an extension length of 3 characters, the '8.3' file name format. It is not case-preserving and will create file and directory names only in upper case. The following characters, including spaces, are not allowed in FAT file and directory names:

• < > | + = : ; , . " / \ [ ]

• These character and length restrictions apply to both directory and file names.

HPFS, JFS, UDF, RAMFS and Others

• With these installable file systems, directory or file names, including any extension, can be up to 255 characters in length (254 visible characters and a terminating null). The total path (combined drive, directories, directory separators and terminating null) must not exceed 260 characters. There are no rules about the length of file extensions. There may be multiple periods used in the file name. The file extension is whatever is used after the last period. However, the following characters are still invalid:

• < > | : " / \

• Since there is a 260 character limit in the file path and name, a 255 character file name is only possible in the root directory, or a single character directory child of the root. For instance, if the path consists of 10 characters, the file name is limited to 248 characters (10 + '\' + 248 + null = 260).

  FS/2 will not let the user rename a file to a name that would exceed the full path limit. However it will allow renaming a directory element to a length that would exceed the path limit for a file in some directory in that directory - or a deeper path that includes that the renamed directory. In that case it will provide a warning message that a file in a directory scan exceeds the path limit and the file will not be displayed in the Files window. If that happens, the only recourse is to shorten that directory name, or one higher in the path, such that the path limit is not exceeded.

  Is is recommended that file and directory names be no longer than necessary to provide a useable description.

Real File names versus WPS Titles

WPS folders and files use titles for identification. The WPS title may or may not be the same as the real file name used by the file system. Real directory and file names are presented in FS/2, the same as shown in a DIR command listing. However, it is possible to show the WPS file object titles in a Details view column.

In most cases, the file system real name is identical to the WPS object title. However, since file system names have the above noted limitations, whereas WPS file object titles are limited only by a 256 character limit and only the backslash (\) character is forbidden, the WPS titles may differ from real file names. If the WPS title of a file system object, which may be generated by an installer or edited by the user, obeys the restrictions, the WPS title is identical to the real name. However, if not, the WPS modifies the title to match these restrictions by truncating it to the allowed length and replacing illegal characters with exclamation marks (!) and stores the title in the .LONGNAME extended attribute. In that case, the file name that is displayed in FS/2 (and with the DIR command) is different from the folder and file titles displayed in the WPS.

Examples:

• A folder title on the X: drive is MyApplications, but the folder resides on a FAT drive, so the path on the folder's "File" page will display X:\MYAPPLIC only.

• A folder title is Accounting/Taxes, but the real name is Accounting!Taxes (assuming the folder is on an HPFS or JFS drive).

Note: