linux 2.6.18
 

read_inode in

/fs/hostfs/hostfs_kern.c exactly consist of....

i require a step wise explaination as i am very much screwed up at the last stage of a project

You need to tell us what you are doing, what you have done and what exactly you need help on. You haven't given us any information.

abt the project
 

.....****working on linux 2.6.18****.....

The chief idea about the project is we are trying to insert a change in the ext3 fs regarding the inode access stuff....

and further the project is inspired by the Idea named in this following reference:Indodes in directory entries
http://lwn.net/Articles/190224/

well we are stuck up with the difference between
1:wht are directory entries and wht is dentry
2:wht read-ahead logic in namei.c line no 853
3.The value of variable NAMEI_RA_SIZE is always 8
ie.NAMEI_RA_SIZE =blocks*chunks
for block value why it always considers it as only 4 (assuming tht chunks size remain constant)