On Tue, 5 Aug 2003, at 4:05pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > ... when i look at the size of file on disk, there's 2 different readings > ...
A file uses more disk storage then the amount of logical data in the file. For one, just about any filesystem allocates storage in "blocks" (or "clusters" of blocks or whatever) of a fixed size. Say your unit of allocation is 4096 bytes. In that case, a one byte file will be stored in one block. So will a 4000 byte file. Both use one block on disk. A 4097 byte file will use two blocks. The unused space is wasted. This is called "internal fragmentation" or "slack space" or "block allocation overhead", depending on who you ask. There is also the issue of "metadata", which is a word that means "data about data". In other words, the system has to keep track of the files on the disk. Name, logical size, blocks used, date last modified, security descriptors, all that good stuff. The overhead from metadata varies depending on the type of filesystem, and often, on the files. -- Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> | The opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do | | not represent the views or policy of any other person or organization. | | All information is provided without warranty of any kind. | ------ You are subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=nt2000&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
