# NILFS

> log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel

**Wikidata**: [Q3334447](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3334447)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NILFS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nilfs

## Summary
NILFS is a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel. It implements the log-structured file system design (which writes file system information to a circular buffer) and is distributed as free software under the GNU General Public License version 2.0.

## Key Facts
- NILFS is an implementation of a log-structured file system for the Linux kernel.  
- Inception: 2005 (developer listed as NTT, Inc.).  
- License: GNU General Public License, version 2.0.  
- Aliases: New Implementation of a Log-structured File System, NILFS2, Nilfs.  
- Official project websites: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/ (preferred) and https://nilfs.osdn.jp/.  
- Project hosting and identifiers: SourceForge project "nilfs"; GitHub username "nilfs-dev"; Freebase ID /m/084wr9.  
- Described at: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/papers/overview-v1.pdf.  
- Instance of: log-structured file system (writes all information to a circular buffer) and free software.  
- Runs on / is used with Linux-based operating systems and distributions including Linux kernel, CentOS, Fedora, Gentoo Linux, Linux Mint, and NixOS.  
- Wikipedia title: NILFS; available in multiple languages (de, en, fr, ja, ko, no, ru).

## FAQs
### Q: What is NILFS?
A: NILFS is a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel that follows the log-structured design (writing file system data to a circular buffer). It is distributed as free software under the GNU GPL v2.

### Q: Who developed NILFS and when did it begin?
A: NILFS lists NTT, Inc. as its developer and has an inception year of 2005.

### Q: Under what license is NILFS released?
A: NILFS is released under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

### Q: On which systems can NILFS be used?
A: NILFS is an implementation for the Linux kernel and is associated with several Linux distributions and systems, including CentOS, Fedora, Gentoo Linux, Linux Mint, and NixOS.

### Q: Where can I find official documentation or the project site?
A: Official project sites include https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/ (preferred) and https://nilfs.osdn.jp/, and a descriptive overview is hosted at https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/papers/overview-v1.pdf.

## Why It Matters
NILFS brings the log-structured file system design to Linux as an implemented and maintained project. The log-structured approach addresses file-system organization by writing updates in a sequential log-like fashion — conceptually using a circular buffer for all information — which is a distinct design alternative to traditional inode-and-block-update models. By providing a Linux-kernel-targeted implementation, NILFS allows users and distributions to experiment with or deploy a log-structured model on Linux systems. Its availability under the GNU GPL v2 and its hosting on established project infrastructure (SourceForge, OSDN, GitHub presence) make the code accessible for integration, study, and contribution. The project’s presence across multiple Linux distributions indicates practical adoption and relevance to users who need or research alternative file-system behaviors on Linux platforms.

## Notable For
- Implementing the log-structured file system design specifically for the Linux kernel.  
- Being developed (inception 2005) with NTT, Inc. listed as the developer.  
- Distribution under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.  
- Public project infrastructure: SourceForge project “nilfs”, OSDN site, GitHub username "nilfs-dev", and an authored overview paper hosted on the project site.  
- Recognized under multiple names/aliases including NILFS2 and New Implementation of a Log-structured File System.

## Body

### Overview
- NILFS is described as a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel.  
- It is an instance of both a log-structured file system and free software.  
- The log-structured file system class writes all information to a circular buffer (definition linked to the related class).

### History and Development
- Inception year: 2005.  
- Developer listed: NTT, Inc.  
- The project is associated with the SourceForge project name "nilfs" and has presence on OSDN.

### Licensing and Copyright
- License: GNU General Public License, version 2.0.  
- Copyright status: copyrighted (project is released under GPLv2).

### Names, Identifiers, and Resources
- Aliases: New Implementation of a Log-structured File System; NILFS2; Nilfs.  
- Websites: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/ (preferred) and https://nilfs.osdn.jp/.  
- Descriptive paper URL: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/papers/overview-v1.pdf.  
- Project hosting and IDs: SourceForge project "nilfs"; GitHub username "nilfs-dev"; Freebase ID /m/084wr9.  
- Wikipedia title: NILFS. Available in languages: de, en, fr, ja, ko, no, ru.

### Platforms and Use
- Target operating system: Linux kernel.  
- Associated distributions/systems: CentOS, Fedora Linux, Gentoo Linux, Linux Mint, NixOS.  
- Gentoo-specific reference: Gentoo Wiki article titled "NILFS" (English).

### Classification and Context
- Instance of: log-structured file system (design characteristic: writes information to a circular buffer).  
- Classified as free software and a Linux kernel file-system implementation.

### Further Reading and References
- Project overview paper: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/papers/overview-v1.pdf.  
- Primary project site: https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/.  
- Additional project site: https://nilfs.osdn.jp/.

## References

1. [Source](https://nilfs.sourceforge.io/papers/overview-v1.pdf)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora