Published on: 2025-06-10 03:57:12
When I wrote about the length of file names in early Unix, I noted that inode numbers were unsigned 16-bit integers and thus you could only have at most 65,536 inodes in any given filesystem. Over on the Fediverse, JdeBP correctly noted that I had an off by one error. The original Unix directory entry format used a zero inode number to mark deleted entries, which meant that you couldn't actually use inode zero for anything (not even the root directory of the filesystem, which needed a non-zero i
Keywords: file inode number numbers zero
Find related items on AmazonPublished on: 2025-06-27 07:19:36
Introduction Have you ever heard someone say that a disk or memory is a “bunch of bits”? I’m not sure about this idea’s origin, but it’s a pretty good idea. It reduces the mystery of computers. For example, it rules out the theory that inside of my computer is a very flat elf. No, inside are bits, encoded on electrical components. Getting close and personal with bits Yet, computers are still pretty mysterious. What are these bits? What do they mean? Can we play with them, parse them, make s
Keywords: 00 0000 0x00 bits inode
Find related items on AmazonGo K’awiil is a project by nerdhub.co that curates technology news from a variety of trusted sources. We built this site because, although news aggregation is incredibly useful, many platforms are cluttered with intrusive ads and heavy JavaScript that can make mobile browsing a hassle. By hand-selecting our favorite tech news outlets, we’ve created a cleaner, more mobile-friendly experience.
Your privacy is important to us. Go K’awiil does not use analytics tools such as Facebook Pixel or Google Analytics. The only tracking occurs through affiliate links to amazon.com, which are tagged with our Amazon affiliate code, helping us earn a small commission.
We are not currently offering ad space. However, if you’re interested in advertising with us, please get in touch at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to review your submission.