What is the purpose of a Virtual File System (VFS)?

1.	What is the purpose of a Virtual File System (VFS)?
Answer» An abstract layer on top of a more concrete file system is a virtual file system (VFS) or virtual filesystem switch. The purpose of a VFS is to make it possible for client applications to access various types of concrete file systems in a consistent MANNER. For example, a VFS can be used to seamlessly access LOCAL and network storage devices WITHOUT the client device recognizing the difference. It can be used to bridge the gap between Windows, traditional Mac OS/macOS, and Unix filesystems, allowing applications to access files on those sorts of local file systems without needing to KNOW what type of file system they're dealing with. A VFS defines the kernel's interface with a certain file system. As a result, adding SUPPORT for new file system types to the kernel is simple.

Answer»

An abstract layer on top of a more concrete file system is a virtual file system (VFS) or virtual filesystem switch.

The purpose of a VFS is to make it possible for client applications to access various types of concrete file systems in a consistent MANNER. For example, a VFS can be used to seamlessly access LOCAL and network storage devices WITHOUT the client device recognizing the difference.
It can be used to bridge the gap between Windows, traditional Mac OS/macOS, and Unix filesystems, allowing applications to access files on those sorts of local file systems without needing to KNOW what type of file system they're dealing with.
A VFS defines the kernel's interface with a certain file system. As a result, adding SUPPORT for new file system types to the kernel is simple.

Discussion