Detachable Directory Trees for Instant File System Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file systems face inefficiencies in managing directory trees, particularly in data backup systems, as they require resource-intensive operations like recursive traversal and deletion of large files, which consume time and computing resources, and do not support instantaneous deletion, copying, or moving of entire directory trees.
Innovation Solution
A framework for managing directory trees using detachable directories within a log-structured file system, allowing instantaneous deletion, copying, or moving of entire directory trees, and enabling rollback for accidental deletions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional file systems use recursive traversal to manage directory trees, then file system operations can be performed, but computing resources and time are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the directory tree management by introducing detachable directory concepts that allow the file system to divide and conquer directory operations. Instead of recursively traversing entire directory trees, the system detaches directories into manageable units that can be operated on independently, significantly reducing the computational overhead of directory management operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing detachable directory structures and metadata that enable instantaneous operations. By preparing the directory tree with detachable markers and metadata beforehand, the system eliminates the need for resource-intensive recursive traversal during actual delete, copy, or move operations, as the pre-structured data allows for direct manipulation.
2Productivity
If conventional file systems perform recursive deletion of large files, then directory trees can be cleaned, but the operation consumes excessive time and computing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deletion operation by utilizing detachable directory markers that allow the system to identify and remove directory trees as discrete units. Instead of recursively traversing and deleting each file individually, the segmented approach enables the file system to detach and remove entire directory structures in single operations, dramatically reducing deletion time and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-marking directories as detachable with associated metadata that contains information about the directory structure and contents. This preliminary structuring allows instantaneous deletion operations where the file system can directly remove pre-identified detachable directories without performing time-consuming recursive traversal during the deletion process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional file systems support directory tree operations, then file management is possible, but instantaneous deletion, copying, or moving is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments directory tree operations by introducing detachable directory concepts that treat directories as independent, movable units. This segmentation enables the file system to perform delete, copy, and move operations on entire directory trees as single atomic operations rather than requiring sequential processing of individual files, thereby achieving instantaneous execution while maintaining full operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-structuring directory trees with detachable markers and metadata that encode information about directory boundaries, contents, and relationships. This preliminary preparation allows the file system to perform instantaneous operations on directory trees by directly manipulating the pre-structured metadata without requiring real-time traversal or analysis, thus achieving both versatility and speed.
4Reliability
If conventional file systems traverse entire directory trees, then complete directory management is achieved, but resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the directory management process by using detachable directory markers that allow the system to manage directory trees as discrete, addressable units. This segmentation enables the file system to perform operations on specific directory portions without traversing entire directory structures, maintaining complete and accurate directory management while significantly reducing the computing resources required by operating only on relevant segmented portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing detachable directory structures with metadata that contains complete information about directory contents and relationships. This preliminary structuring allows the file system to achieve reliable and complete directory management by directly accessing pre-organized metadata without performing resource-intensive recursive traversal, thus maintaining management completeness while minimizing resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing a file system includes: receiving a directory tree delete request from a user via a computing device; in response to the request, making a determination that the directory tree associated with the file system is marked as a detachable directory, in which, before sending the request, the user marks the directory tree as the detachable directory; based on the determination and in real-time or near real-time, deleting the directory tree by removing an associated internal node from a B+ tree that is associated with the file system; initiating notifying of the user about a completion of the request; and after the initiating, reclaiming storage space associated with the directory tree in a garbage collection cycle.