Re:BetrFS: an in-kernel file system that uses Bε trees to or...
by Tobu on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @11:49AM
(#29405866)
The README[1] is enough to understand, this is a really funky implementation and does nothing to bring useful functionality into the kernel.
It relies on TokuDB, which is a database server meant for userland, already a complex piece of code, patent-encumbered, probably well tweaked but heavy. It does not port that to the kernel, rather it reimplements userland interfaces in-kernel. For example, the file-based interfaces TokuDB expects are proxied to files in a different filesystem.
B_epsilon trees are a useful data structure, they may have a place in filesystems, but it will take a from scratch implementation to prove it.
Repackaging TokuDB's patented fractal trees with extra duct tape does not address any needs outside of superficial marketing.
It relies on TokuDB, which is a database server meant for userland, already a complex piece of code, patent-encumbered, probably well tweaked but heavy. It does not port that to the kernel, rather it reimplements userland interfaces in-kernel. For example, the file-based interfaces TokuDB expects are proxied to files in a different filesystem.
B_epsilon trees are a useful data structure, they may have a place in filesystems, but it will take a from scratch implementation to prove it. Repackaging TokuDB's patented fractal trees with extra duct tape does not address any needs outside of superficial marketing.
[1]: https://github.com/oscarlab/betrfs/blob/master/README.md