How is free space management implemented in Linux?
Free space management in Linux is a critical aspect of the filesystem's functionality, ensuring efficient utilization of disk space. Here’s how it’s typically implemented: Space Management Strategy in Linux Linux employs several strategies to manage free space within its filesystems. Each filesystem type, such as ext4, XFS, or Btrfs, has its own method for handling free space. Block Allocation: Linux filesystems use block allocation techniques to manage free space. They keep track of free blocks (chunks of disk space) and allocate them to files as needed. When files are deleted or resized, the freed blocks are returned to the pool of available space. Bitmaps and Lists: Many Linux filesystems use bitmaps or linked lists to track free blocks. For example, ext4 uses a combination of bitmaps and group descriptors to manage and allocate space. Space Planning and Management: Advanced filesystems like XFS and Btrfs offer sophisticated space planning and management ...