Data Structures
To allow processes to access files in a consistent manner, the kernel has a layer of software
that maintains an interface between system calls related to files and the file management
code. This layer is known as the Virtual File System (VFS). Any
process-initiated system call to files is directed to the VFS, which performs file operations
independent of the format of the file system involved. The VFS then redirects the
request to the module managing the file.