Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

Which file system was developed by Apple Computer, Inc. as a replacement for the Macintosh File System (MFS)?

1. FAT32

2. Hierarchical File System

3. NTFS

4. ext4

The correct answer is: Hierarchical File System

The Hierarchical File System (HFS) was developed by Apple Computer, Inc. as a replacement for the Macintosh File System (MFS) to address several limitations of MFS. HFS introduced a more sophisticated way of organizing files, supporting hierarchical directories, which allowed for a more structured approach to data storage. This was crucial for the growing needs of users as file systems became more complex. HFS' design focused on improving performance and accommodating larger files and volumes, which was increasingly necessary as applications became more demanding. This advancement also included enhancements in file metadata management, enabling better support for attributes such as file types and creation dates. The other file systems listed—FAT32, NTFS, and ext4—were developed for different operating systems and serve different purposes. FAT32 is widely used in various operating systems for compatibility, NTFS is a file system native to Windows with advanced features suitable for enterprise environments, and ext4 is primarily used in Linux environments. Thus, HFS stands out as Apple's tailored solution for organizing files on Macintosh systems, making it the appropriate answer to the question.