Microsoft Corporation
Hard link operations for files in a file system

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and computer storage media for providing data operations using hard links (hard link operations) for files in a file system are provided. Accessing files using hard link operations is based on File_Name-to-File_ID mappings and File_ID-to-File_Object mappings stored in hard link data structures. In operation, a file name for file content is received to perform a data operation. The file content is accessed using the file name. The file name is associated with a hard link data structure having a File_Name-to-File_ID mapping and a File_ID-to-File_Object mapping. The file name is also associated with an alternate file name for the file content. The alternate file name is associated with an alternate hard link data structure having an alternate File_Name-to-File mapping and the File_ID-to-File_Object mapping. The alternate file name is received. The file content is accessed using the alternate file name to perform an alternate data operation on the file content.