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ext2 file system — Parallax Forums

ext2 file system

pgbpsupgbpsu Posts: 460
edited 2010-08-30 12:21 in Propeller 1
I know there has been some discussion of the usefulness of a file system that allows for long file names on this forum. In my review of what's been said or done I came across a few posts (this is all I could find with the new forum software)

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=121305&highlight=ext2
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=124249&highlight=ext2
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=123055&highlight=ext2
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=107432&highlight=ext2
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=118142&highlight=ext2


I understand the desire to preserve access to all the FAT8/16 stuff that's out there, but from my reading of the discussion, getting long filename support on a FAT filesystem is difficult because of patent issues.

I've got a project that requires long file name support and I'm not tied to FAT as the filesystem.

Does anyone know if any progress has been made on an ext2 filesystem?

Can an ext2 filesystem be written for the prop that will take no more code space than FSRW and be at least as fast?

My programming skills are decent and I'm willing to work to build this filesystem if others can help/lead me. I'm also willing to pay if there's a crack filesystem programmer that could knock out a stable working ext2 filesystem and I'd be happy, as the customer, to release that back to the community.

Any comments/interest?

Regards,
Peter

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2010-08-30 07:16
    The main reason for using the FAT file system is that this is the default file system for SD cards and all major operating systems come with built-in support for it (including Windows, Linux, and the MacOS). Although Linux supports Ext2 directly, both Windows and the MacOS require a 3rd party driver to support it.

    I'm sure it's possible to develop an Ext2 driver for the Propeller that's similar in performance to the existing FAT drivers. Whether anyone skilled enough is motivated to do so is another question.
  • pgbpsupgbpsu Posts: 460
    edited 2010-08-30 08:30
    Hi Mike-

    Thanks for the comments. I certainly understand the flexibility of using FAT, but I've reached a point where long file names are more important. As you say, applications can be found that will allow Mac and Windows machines to read ext2 filesystems. Probably not as convenient as FAT, but more useful if an ext2 filesystem can be created.

    I'm glad to hear that you believe it's possible. Now the issue is finding someone motivated. To that end, I'm willing to hire this work done if someone capable is interested.... A stable ext2 filesystem (including support for long file names) that could be read by any linux box is worth several thousand dollars to me and I'd be willing to donate it back to the community. Or have it released under the current OBEX standard free license (is that still MIT?).

    Regards,
    Peter
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2010-08-30 08:49
    While I like the idea of having an ext2 file-system, it seems more practical to have lookup file(s) in FAT or FAT32 directories to map short and long filenames. Such mapping could be added to an object that provides an indirect interface that meets a user's needs. Mapping would be slower though.
  • pgbpsupgbpsu Posts: 460
    edited 2010-08-30 09:00
    jazzed-

    Thanks for your responses.

    My end goal (and I don't care if it ext2 or FAT or some other FS) is to be able to remove the SD card from a prop based system, plug it into a card reader connected to a PC (Mac, linux, netbook, I don't care) and have the SD card show up so the user can drag and drop the files from the SD card onto their hard drive. I'd like to have large card support (up to 32GB), large file support (up to 2GB individual files), more than 512 files OR directory support, and have long file names OR (and I'll have to think more about this) have some kind of plug-in that will decipher short file names created on the Prop, and convert them to long filenames as the files are copied over to the host PC.

    1. I'm not sure how one does this conversion/download utility for linux, Mac, and Windows
    2. I'd really just like long file name support so I don't have to worry about having the correct utility on each machine that might encounter an SD card from one of my prop systems.

    I'm happy to help code this if you've got any suggestions on how to go about it....

    Thanks,
    Peter
  • jmspaggijmspaggi Posts: 629
    edited 2010-08-30 09:56
    If someone do a ext2 file system, I will be the first to use it! ;) All my computers are under linux. Having a FAT32 SD card sound strange for me ;)

    JM
  • jaakjaak Posts: 1
    edited 2010-08-30 12:14
    Another idea might be the UDF file system (it's not just for DVDs). Windows, Mac, and Linux all support reading/writing UDF (although XP only supports reading without 3rd party drivers). It's an open and free standard and the basic version doesn't really look any more complicated than VFAT (in fact, it has been implemented on millions of embedded devices around the world :).
  • pgbpsupgbpsu Posts: 460
    edited 2010-08-30 12:21
    That's a very interesting possibility. I'll look into it.

    Thanks,
    Peter
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