OS/2 provides a standard set of file system functions. This means that applications can create, open, read, write, copy, and delete files and directories by using the same functions, regardless of which file system is used. When an application calls a file system function, OS/2 passes the request to the dynamic link library that supports the file system. The dynamic link library carries out most file system processing, such as validating file names. If an error occurs, the file system returns the error to OS/2, which then passes it back to the calling application.
The OS/2 file system functions identify files and directories by their names. These functions store or search for the file or directory in the current directory on the current drive unless the name explicitly specifies a different directory and drive. Occasionally, a file system has control functions in addition to the standard file system functions. The control functions are specific to the given file system. An application can call a control function by using DosFSCtl, which directs OS/2 to pass the control-function information to the corresponding Installable File System (IFS).
The following topics are related to the information in this chapter: