[comp.unix.questions] inode_questions

dipto@umbc3.UUCP (03/04/87)

	Unix shell programming follows a convention that all index counts
    begin  from number 0.  However, inode counts start at one (1)  in the 
    file header. 

    Answer to the above question:-

	In the Unix file system, the number zero (0) is used to  indicate 
    an empty directory   entry.  So, the  file header  gets scanned for a 
    zero when a  new entry has to be made.  Henceforth, in the Unix  file 
    system the inode count starts at one (1) and  NOT  zero (0)

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                                network address: dipto@umbc3.umd.edu.ARPA
    Dipto Chakravarty
    Department of Computer Science
    University of Maryland at Baltimore County