Filesystem Glossary

Browse 14 filesystem terms defined in plain English, from the cultural dictionary of computing.

14 Filesystem Terms

Configuration File
A Configuration File is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code...
File Descriptor
A File Descriptor is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code...
File Handle
A File Handle is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code easier...
File Handling
The set of operations for creating, reading, writing, and closing files. Proper file handling includes using context managers or RAII to ensure files are...
File Lock
A File Lock is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code easier to...
File System
A File System is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code easier...
File Watcher
A File Watcher is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code easier...
Flat File
A Flat File is a development concept used to shape how software is built, executed, or maintained in real systems. Developers rely on it to make code easier to...
Path
A string that specifies the location of a file, directory, or resource — either as an absolute path from the root (e.g., /usr/bin/node) or a relative path from...
Path Traversal
A vulnerability that allows an attacker to access files or directories outside the intended path by manipulating file references such as `../` sequences or...
Symbolic Link
A filesystem entry that contains a path reference to another file or directory rather than actual data. The OS transparently follows the link when accessed,...
Symlink
A symbolic link — a special file that acts as a pointer to another file or directory. Unlike hard links, symlinks can cross filesystems and point to...
Time-of-Check Time-of-Use
A race condition where a resource changes between the time it is checked and later used. It shows up in application security, identity, infrastructure, or...
Watcher
A process or library that subscribes to filesystem change notifications (via inotify on Linux, FSEvents on macOS, or ReadDirectoryChangesW on Windows) and...

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