WinFS

Overview of WinFS WinFS stands for Windows Future storage. WinFS is the code name of a Windows storage subsystem, being developed by Microsoft for use on its future Windows (c) Operating System.

Overview of WinFS (contd..) WinFS is a relational database located on NTFS and representing itself to the operating system as a file storage subsystem. The underlying system is based on Microsoft SQL Server (c) database engine. SQL engine is used to search and catalog files.

Why WinFS? Current file system doesn’t know how to collect and find information within theses new types of data. FAT or NTFS, has its contents organized in a hierarchal directory structure and is relatively slow in searching the content by particular attributes.

Why WinFS? (contd…) WinFS enables searching for items by their attributes (like date the photograph was taken, who or what is in the picture, what camera was used to take the picture, etc). WinFS understands any arbitrary type of data such as photo, or calendar.

WinFS Architecture Stores data in virtual locations called stores. WinFS store is a relational store where applications can store their structured as well as unstructured data. WinFS aggregates related data. WinFS stores are simply SQL Server database file (.mdf files).

WinFS Technology Core WinFS - Include operations and file system services. - Examples: Security, manageability, import/export and so on… Data Model - Provides basic item structure and relationships. - Ability to extend both items and relationships.

WinFS Technology(contd…) Schemas - Provides a more structured way to handle your data’s metadata. Services - Synchronization enables you to synchronize WinFS systems across a network. - Rules allow you to tell system how to work with, sort, and deliver data. API’S - Program the different building blocks of the WinFS system including data operations, rules, synchronization and the data model. - TSQL gives access to items properties.

Schema Example

Music Example

WinFS Synchronization Includes support for synchronization with external data. Provides API’s that allow synchronizing with other WinFS stores(other comps) Example: connected device like mobile phones.

Limitations of traditional File System Strict hierarchical organization Fixed, limited metadata. - Attribute (filename). Fast enumeration, slow search.

WinFS Benefits Flexible organization based on real world schemas. Better search and browsing. Application data sharing. Improved speed and accuracy of finding information. Multi-machine synchronization.

WinFS Uses Integrated storage - Helps to reuse data. E.g.- for businesses, by allowing it to automatically aggregate data from different departments. Full text search - Works with items fields. Advanced search - Custom made such queries such as to find “all persons whom I called last weekend”. Data mining - WinFS can give more information about data, by using data mining techniques.

WinFS Application Support Microsoft Rave - Application shipped with WinFS Beta1. - Allows synchronization of two or more WinFS stores. Store Spy - Allows one to browse WinFS stores by presenting a hierarchical view of WinFS items. Project “Orange” - To build a data visualization application for WinFS.

WinFS Availability WinFS Beta 1 was made available to MSDN Subscribers on August 29, Beta 2 was made available at May 1, Includes integration with Windows Desktop Search, so search results will include results from both regular NTFS files and WinFS-backed files. The third beta was made available at November Final release most likely will be available with Windows Longhorn Server 2008.

WinFS Resources WinFS an official introductory article on the concept.WinFS 101 WinFS Team Blog Channel 9 Videos - Interviews with WinFS developers at MicrosoftChannel 9 Videos Windows Storage Foundation (WinFS) PreviewWindows Storage Foundation (WinFS) Preview A Developer's Perspective on WinFS: Part 1A Developer's Perspective on WinFS: Part 1 A Developer's Perspective on WinFS: Part 2A Developer's Perspective on WinFS: Part 2 microsoft.public.windows.developer.winfx. winfs - WinFS Newsgroupmicrosoft.public.windows.developer.winfx. winfs

WinFS Video watch?v=knM9zTC GC_A watch?v=knM9zTC GC_A

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