Creation of file and directory with same name

chack · 01-23-2005, 11:14 PM

Hi

Why cant a file and a directory with the same name be created in the same directory. I found that in linux filesystems, all the files have different inode numbers, and that directory is treated as a file(which has enties pointing to files inside it). If this is the case then why is it impossible to create a file and directory with the same name in a directory.

Also are there any file system in any OS in which this is possible?

Chack

Alligator · 01-23-2005, 11:16 PM

because os don't wont confuse you with ex:25files with the same name! I don't thinkso!

dylbyrt45 · 01-23-2005, 11:28 PM

Not sure why you would want to, but,,, remember Linux is case sensitive. If the directory starts with a cap example: /home/Jazz you can have a file in that directory named jazz. Have one in caps, and one that isn't

chack · 01-23-2005, 11:37 PM

Thanks for the replies.

What i was thinking was like if the inode numbers are unique and if the directory inodes are having a list of inode pointers, then a cd command can recognize a directory and get in , even if a file with the same name exists in the directory.

Avoiding confusion to the users maybe the reason, is there any other reason?

I had this question come up in a seminar on inodes and that why i am asking...

:-) Chack

dylbyrt45 · 01-24-2005, 08:43 PM

Well now that I have played for a minute or two, I guess you can have a file in a directory with the same name as a directory. You can also have a directory inside a directory with the same name.

Example: /home/george/george

Would not of known that if you hadn't asked. Hope this helps.

chack · 01-24-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Well now that I have played for a minute or two, I guess you can have a file in a directory with the same name as a directory. You can also have a directory inside a directory with the same name.

Example: /home/george/george

Would not of known that if you hadn't asked. Hope this helps.

I am not sure if I was clear enough in explaining the issue.

What I meant is to create a file and a directory with the same name inside another directory. For example

directory1
|
directory2
| |
test test
(directory) (file)

I want to know why it is not possible to create a file and a directory , both with the name "test" under the directory "directory2".

:-) Chack

mjrich · 01-24-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chack
in linux filesystems, all the files have different inode numbers, and that directory is treated as a file

IMHO, this already answers your question...

Under linux, everything is treated as a file, thus the problem of having two files with the same name.

Cheers,

mj