TRANSACTIONAL FILE SYSTEM FOR FLASH MEMORY

A transactional file system developed to function with flash memory is described. The file system provides for efficient storage of file system meta-information, performs robust transaction logging, and performs other related features. In one described implementation, metadata is stored in-line with data. In another embodiment, a transaction log is maintained by storing transaction information associated with requests to perform file transactions. The transaction information is stored at arbitrary physical sector addresses on the flash medium. In still another embodiment, a transaction log is stored in a physical sector of a flash medium. The transaction log contains transaction information associated with performing a file request. Metadata is written into a spare area of the physical sector indicating that the physical sector contains transaction information.