ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Design of the FAT file system

So you know how you have a toy box and you put your toys in it to keep them organized? Well, computers also need a place to keep all the files and information organized. This is where the File System comes in!

One type of File System is called the FAT File System. It's like having a big toy box for all the computer's files.

The FAT File System is designed in a way that helps the computer know where everything is kept. It uses something called a File Allocation Table (FAT) to keep track of all the files.

Think of the FAT as a map of the toy box. Each toy has its own place in the toy box, just like each file has its own place on the computer. The map keeps track of which toy or file is in which spot so you can easily find them.

The FAT File System also helps the computer know what type of file it is. Just like you know that your action figures are different from your dolls, the computer needs to know if a file is a picture or a music file. It does this by using what's called a file extension.

A file extension is like a label on your toy box that says "dolls" or "action figures". It tells you and the computer what type of toys or files are in that section.

So in summary, the FAT File System is like a big toy box that keeps all the computer's files organized using a map called the File Allocation Table (FAT) and labels called file extensions.