In Linux, everything is stored in the form of a file, and the file system manages the file allocation on disk. The file system handles the data when allocating or retrieving the file from storage locations. The Linux Kernel supports multiple file systems, but the most widely used file systems are Ext4, Btrfs, and Xfs.
Every file system has different basic architecture, functionalities, strengths, and weaknesses that make any file system suitable for specific working conditions.
This write-up will focus on differences between Ext4 and Btrfs file systems by utilizing these helping content:
What is a Btrfs in Linux?
B-Tree file system, commonly called Btrfs, is an advanced and multi-features file system that stores the data in a tree shape (file inside a file). It works on the Copy on Write mechanism, a resource management technique. The Btrfs file system allows the users to write the copied operation on a computer system efficiently.
This file system can revert the modified data, which avoids data corruption. It allows the developers to add customized functionalities to make it more advanced and user-friendly.
What is Ext4 in Linux?
The Ext4 extension file system is the 4th version of the basic Ext extension file system. The Ext4 is called the journal file system because it saves the journal of the system data and any changes on the disk. Several Linux distributions use this file system as default, and it’s been in use for a long time.
Let’s discuss the functionalities of Btrfs and Ext4 in Linux.
Differences Between Btrfs and Ext4 FileSystems
The Btrfs and Ext4 file systems’ basic working mechanism is different as Btrfs works on copy-on-write phenomena while Ext4 is based on a journal-based mechanism. Due to basic architecture differences, multiple functionalities are different in both file systems.
Let’s discuss the differences between Btrfs and Ext4 file systems:
| Functions | Btrfs | Ext4 |
|---|---|---|
| File System Type | The Btrfs Works on Copy-on-Write (CoW) basic architecture. | The Ext4 works on Journaling architecture. |
| Maximum File Size | The Btrfs can create up to 264 files, which is more than Ext4, equal to 18 Quintillion files. It has more space than the Ext4 filesystem. | The Ext4 can create up to 232 files, equal to 4 Billion files, much less than Btrfs. |
| Partition Size | It supports partition sizes up to 16 EiB 264 Bytes of data per partition. | It supports partition sizes up to 16TiB (1 EiB), which is 16 times less than the Btrfs. |
| Storage Efficiency | Its storage mechanism is extent-based and has better storage efficiency than Ext4. It takes less space than an Ext4 file system. | Its storage efficiency is less than Btrfs. |
| Data Fragmentation | It can store large data into multiple small data pieces. | It does not support data fragmentation. |
| Data Defragmentation & Resizing | It allows the pieces of data to join again into large files, which is possible even when the file is mounted on the disk (online). | The Ext4 file system does not support data defragmentation. |
| Snapshots Support | The file system snapshots can be taken and saved elsewhere to avoid accidental deletion. The developers can make changes to this file system. | It does not allow snapshots and changes to the default Ext4 file system. |
| Data Corruption | It copies data and modifies that data, so the disk data is unchanged, and no data corruption for disk data. | It can corrupt the original data mounted on the disk. |
| SSD Drives Optimized Working | The SSD is a quick processing tool that can be used with the Btrfs file system to increase its efficiency by optimizing read & write performance. | The Ext4 is not as suitable with SSD drives as the Btrfs file system. |
| Large Data Files Management | It supports greater file sizes, managing large data files easily. | It supports fewer data file sizes, so large file management is complicated. |
| Updated File System | This Btrfs is an updated file system with several advanced features. | The Ext4 is an updated version of ext1, ext2, and ext3, but still, it has limited functionalities. |
| Deduplication | Ir removes the duplicate data files that free the space disk. | It does not allow deduplication. |
| Stability | It has good stability. | It is an old file system with improved bug fixes and provides better stability than Btrfs. |
| Speed | It transfer speed is less than the Ext4 file system. | The Ext4 file system transfers the files quickly as compared to Btrfs. |
| Advanced Features Support | It supports data compression and encryption at the file level. | It does not support data compression or encryption. |
The above tables explain the differences between both file systems’ structural, architectural, and supporting mechanisms.
Conclusion
Btrfs is an advanced file system that provides more storage capacity, greater partition size, efficient processing, and supports data fragmentation and defragmentation. The Ext4 file system, however, does not offer these features. Moreover, the Btrfs allows taking snapshots of the disks, avoids data corruption, easily manages large data files, and supports deduplication which deletes duplicated data files.
This post has briefly explained the basic introduction and a detailed comparison of Btrfs and Ext4 file systems.
