# cramfs

> file system

**Wikidata**: [Q747406](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q747406)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramfs)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cramfs

## Summary
cramfs (compressed ROM file system) is a file system designed for use with the Linux operating system. Licensed under the GNU General Public License (version 2.0), it serves as a concrete format for storing files and directories on data storage devices. The system is capable of supporting both little endian and big endian architectures.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** cramfs is a file system instance, specifically a compressed ROM file system format.
*   **Operating System:** It is designed for the Linux operating system.
*   **License:** The software is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, and is copyrighted.
*   **Latest Version:** The preferred and most recent stable release is version 2.1, released on September 30, 2019.
*   **Initial Releases:** Prior stable versions include 1.0 (released February 16, 2002) and 1.1 (released February 24, 2002).
*   **Architecture Support:** The file format is readable in both little endian and big endian formats (Cramfs ROM filesystem package).
*   **Source Code:** The preferred source code repository is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/npitre/cramfs-tools/`.
*   **Distribution Packages:** It is available in various repositories, including `sys-fs/cramfs` for Gentoo, `cramfs-tools` for OpenSUSE, and `sysutils/cramfs` for FreeBSD.

## FAQs
### Q: What operating system is cramfs designed for?
A: cramfs is explicitly designed for the Linux operating system, though utilities exist for other systems like FreeBSD.

### Q: What license is cramfs released under?
A: cramfs is released under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, and maintains a copyrighted status.

### Q: When was the most recent version of cramfs released?
A: The most recent preferred version is 2.1, which was published on September 30, 2019.

## Why It Matters
As a specialized file system, cramfs addresses specific needs within the Linux ecosystem, particularly where read-only storage and compression are required. Its inclusion in major distribution repositories (such as Gentoo and OpenSUSE) and its long development history—spanning from early releases in 2002 to updates as recent as 2019—demonstrate its enduring utility as a system utility. By providing a "concrete format for storing files and directories," it enables developers to efficiently manage data storage devices, particularly in embedded or ROM-based environments where space optimization is critical. Its support for both little and big endian architectures ensures broad hardware compatibility.

## Notable For
*   **Compression:** Identified explicitly as a "compressed ROM file system."
*   **Cross-Architecture Support:** Unlike some file systems, it offers distinct support for both little endian and big endian formats.
*   **Longevity:** The project has a recorded history spanning nearly two decades, from 2002 to 2019.
*   **Broad Localization:** Documentation and information are available in 10 languages, including English, German, French, Japanese, and Chinese.

## Body
### Version History
The development of cramfs has seen several stable releases over distinct periods:
*   **Early Development (2002):** Version 1.0 was released on February 16, 2002, followed quickly by version 1.1 on February 24, 2002.
*   **Modern Updates:** After a long hiatus, version 2.0 was released on November 3, 2017. The current preferred version, 2.1, was released on September 30, 2019.

### Distribution and Availability
cramfs is widely available across different open-source ecosystems:
*   **Gentoo:** Available via the package `sys-fs/cramfs` and documented in the Gentoo Wiki (Article ID 225930).
*   **OpenSUSE:** Available through the package `cramfs-tools`.
*   **FreeBSD:** Available via the port `sysutils/cramfs`.

### Technical Structure
The system is defined as a "concrete format or program for storing files and directories." It is recognized by Kaitai Struct (ID: cramfs) and operates within the broader class of file systems. The project was originally associated with SourceForge (project: cramfs) and utilized a CVS repository (`cvs://anonymous@cramfs.cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/cramfs`), though modern development has migrated to GitHub.

## References

1. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/cramfs/)
2. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/cramfs/files/cramfs/)
3. [2017](https://github.com/npitre/cramfs-tools/releases/tag/v2.0)
4. [2019](https://github.com/npitre/cramfs-tools/releases/tag/v2.1)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013