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From: cpc@czaeap.UUCP (Chris Cebelenski)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Subject: A compression filesystem
Message-ID: <cpc.3184@czaeap.UUCP>
Date: 12 Feb 91 02:42:30 GMT
Organization: Very Messy. :)
Lines: 45

Here's an idea I've been tossing around:

	FCFS: Fast Compression File System

	Purpose: Reduce storage needed for seldom accessed files.

	Implementation: Pseudo or real device driver. (Probably Psuedo)

	How it would work:
		Basically, you MOUNT it just like any other device,
	and it works just like any other drive would, EXCEPT that
	it access a pre-allocated disk-file on your hard drive (Pseudo
	device, a real device would be more difficult to implement due
	to different HD controllers.)  This "drive" (called DC0: maybe)
	would look just like a regular Amidos disk to applications, but
	anything stored on it would be compressed (LZW or whatever) rather
	than stored "straight."


	Advantages:  No special "data decoder" or headers required to
	de-compress files when they are loaded, the device takes care
	of it itself. Reduced storage needed for seldom-changed files.
	Pseudo file can be backed up just like any other file.

	Disadvantage: Possible that a pre-allocated chunk of your drive
	needs to be set up. Possible slow write speeds, depending on
	depth of compression. ( A good algorithm should keep the read
	speed at a reasonable rate.)



	Anything else I might have forgotten to take into consideration?
	Anyone want to volunteer to write this beastie??? (Heh heh, why
	is everyone looking at me so strangely??)

--
==========================================================================
    Chris Cebelenski	    UUCP: portal.com!gdc!aminet!czaeap!cpc
    The Red Mage	    Internet: czaeap!cpc@aminet.gdc.portal.com
			    GEnie: C.CEBELENSKI
				 // "Amiga - The way REAL people compute"
 "Better dead than mellow"     \X/
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