The blog post argues that file systems, particularly hierarchical ones, are a form of hypermedia that predates the web. It highlights how directories act like web pages, containing links (files and subdirectories) that can lead to other content or executable programs. This linking structure, combined with metadata like file types and modification dates, allows for navigation and information retrieval similar to browsing the web. The post further suggests that the web's hypermedia capabilities essentially replicate and expand upon the fundamental principles already present in file systems, emphasizing a deeper connection between these two technologies than commonly recognized.
Jon Udell's blog post, "File Systems: The Original Hypermedia," posits that the fundamental principles of hypermedia, often associated with the World Wide Web, actually predate the web and are deeply rooted in the design and functionality of file systems. He argues that the hierarchical structure of directories and the ability to link files together, even across different directories or devices, constitute a foundational form of hypermedia.
Udell elaborates on this concept by drawing parallels between file system operations and web interactions. He highlights how navigating a file system through directory traversal mirrors browsing the web by following links. Just as clicking a link on a webpage transports the user to a different location, opening a file within a file system "jumps" the user to the content of that file. He emphasizes that files, like web pages, can contain various forms of media, including text, images, and executable code, and the act of opening a file can be viewed as activating or "rendering" that media, similar to how a web browser renders a webpage.
Furthermore, the post explores the notion of links within a file system. Symbolic links, specifically, are presented as analogous to hyperlinks on the web, allowing for indirect access to files regardless of their physical location. This indirection allows for the creation of complex relationships between files and fosters a non-linear navigation paradigm, a core characteristic of hypermedia systems. He notes that while symbolic links offer a direct form of linking, even the act of embedding a file path within a document can be considered a rudimentary form of linking, akin to embedding a URL within a webpage.
Udell underscores the importance of recognizing the inherent hypermedia capabilities of file systems, suggesting that this understanding can inform the development and evolution of future hypermedia systems. He proposes that the robustness and maturity of file systems, honed over decades of use, offer valuable lessons for the design of web-based and other hypermedia platforms. The post concludes by suggesting that the simplicity and power of the file system as a hypermedia platform should not be overlooked, and that it can serve as both a practical tool and a conceptual model for exploring the potential of hypermedia.
Summary of Comments ( 17 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42774758
Hacker News users largely praised the article for its clear explanation of file systems as a foundational hypermedia system. Several commenters highlighted the elegance and simplicity of this concept, often overlooked in the modern web's complexity. Some discussed the potential of leveraging file system principles for improved web experiences, like decentralized systems or simpler content management. A few pointed out limitations, such as the lack of inherent versioning in basic file systems and the challenges of metadata handling. The discussion also touched on related concepts like Plan 9 and the semantic web, contrasting their approaches to linking and information organization with the basic file system model. Several users reminisced about early computing experiences and the directness of navigating files and folders, suggesting a potential return to such simplicity.
The Hacker News post "File Systems: The Original Hypermedia" discussing Jon Gjengset's blog post sparked a lively discussion with a variety of perspectives on the relationship between filesystems and hypermedia.
Several commenters agreed with the premise, highlighting the fundamental similarities. One user pointed out that filesystems and the web share core concepts like links, directories acting as indices, and the ability to move between different "sites" (different parts of the filesystem or different websites). They further elaborated on how tools like symbolic links mirror web links and how both systems allow for non-linear navigation. Another commenter mentioned how early web servers directly exposed the filesystem, blurring the lines further. This user reminisced about early personal web pages residing directly within their public HTML folder.
Some commenters discussed the advantages of the filesystem's simplicity and power. One noted that the filesystem predates hypermedia and already incorporates many of its concepts, highlighting the robust tooling built around manipulating filesystem data compared to hypermedia. This commenter also mentioned that MIME types, while a web concept, actually enhance filesystem functionality by associating data with applications.
Others focused on differences and limitations of the analogy. One pointed out that while filesystems allow for links, they lack a standardized way to embed metadata and display formatted content within the structure itself, a core aspect of hypermedia. Another emphasized that web links are fundamentally bidirectional, as websites can see who links to them (through backlinks and referrer headers), while filesystems typically lack this backlink capability. This lack of backlink information in filesystems prevents things like global search based on connections, something inherent in the web’s structure.
The discussion also touched upon the evolution of both systems. One commenter suggested that Plan 9 from Bell Labs took the filesystem-as-hypermedia concept further than traditional operating systems, integrating it deeper into the OS architecture. Another pointed out the shift in web development towards client-side rendering and APIs, moving away from direct filesystem exposure and consequently diminishing the original connection.
Finally, some comments drifted towards related concepts. One commenter discussed the distinction between the web and the internet, with the latter being the physical infrastructure and the former being the hypermedia system built on top. They pondered the lack of a single, unified global filesystem, suggesting technical and social challenges as reasons for its absence.
In summary, the comments on Hacker News explored the nuances of the filesystem-as-hypermedia analogy, acknowledging the similarities while also recognizing crucial distinctions in structure, functionality, and evolution. The discussion reflected an appreciation for the simplicity and power of the filesystem while also recognizing the unique capabilities of the web as a hypermedia system.