Os Process Management Questions Medium
A file control block (FCB) is a data structure used by an operating system to manage files. It contains essential information about a specific file, allowing the operating system to locate, access, and manipulate the file. The information stored in an FCB typically includes:
1. File name: The name of the file, which is used to identify and reference it.
2. File type: The type of the file, such as text, image, audio, or video.
3. File size: The size of the file in bytes, indicating the amount of storage space it occupies.
4. File location: The physical location of the file on the storage device, usually represented by the starting address or block number.
5. File permissions: The access rights and permissions associated with the file, determining who can read, write, or execute it.
6. File attributes: Additional characteristics of the file, such as whether it is read-only, hidden, or system file.
7. File creation and modification timestamps: The timestamps indicating when the file was created and last modified.
8. File pointers: Pointers or offsets that keep track of the current position within the file during read or write operations.
9. File status: Information about the current status of the file, such as whether it is open or closed, locked by another process, or being accessed by multiple processes.
10. File control information: Additional control information specific to the file, such as the number of open instances, file locks, or file access modes.
The FCB serves as a crucial data structure for the operating system to effectively manage files, ensuring proper file organization, access control, and efficient file operations.