RE: [Firebird-devel] File I/O and Windows FAT filing system

[Leyne, S. <sl...@at...>]

Sergey,

See below.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sergey Mereutsa [mailto:se...@pr...]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 11:16 AM
> 
> De-facto, FAT16 is dead. FAT32 used only in win95/98/Me. 

Unfortunately, I wish that were true.  FAT16 is still alive a kicking
for all of the Windows platforms, including WindowsNT & 2000.

As you can see from this Microsoft KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q118/3/35.asp

So we can't ignore it, no matter how unlikely it might be.  (Heck there
are still users running Windows 3.x!!)


> I think, You agree if I say this is not SERVER systems - they are good
for games, office
> applications, but not for server. May be I`m wrong, but I think, M$
will
> focus they support on NTFS5. As I know,  it allow files large than 4
GB. I
> do not say nothing about ext3fs, ReiserFS, etc - they has no problems
with
> such large files.

While I do agree that Win9x/ME is not a server platform, unfortunately
time has taught me you can never predict the "stupid" things that
users/clients will want to do.  Also, remember that this issue also
affects users running a local database so it must be considered (and I'm
not about to start a debate on the merits of storing a 2-4gb local
database -- it's not our place to judge others/users).

> So, support FAT16 is very expensive and, IMHO, is not needed.
> FAT32 support may be still needed, but not for a long time.

I disagree, support for both filing system will be needed for a loonnggg
time.

> Ideal case will be to create own FS (Like Oracle), but I do 
> not know, how long time this will take.
> 

I don't agree that our own FS is necessary.  Also, we don't have the
resources (staff, let alone $$$) that Oracle has to even consider such a
project/investment.


Sean