A file system that is tree structured and can contain files at many different levels. This file organization is obtained through the use of directories, which can contain files and other directories.
A file system in which folders can contain other folders. See also folder.
A way to organize data on computer systems using a hierarchy of containers, often called folders (directories) and files. In this scheme, folders may contain other folders and files. The successive containment of folders within folders creates the levels of organization, which is the hierarchy.
A part of the operating system that includes the application programming interfaces and the underlying file system support. HFS enables an application written in a high-level language to create, store, retrieve, and manipulate data on a storage device. The view of the data to the end user is a hierarchical directory structure similar to IBM DOS.
Hierarchical File System (HFS), is a file system developed by Apple Computer for use on computers running Mac OS. Originally designed for use on floppy and hard disks, it can also be found on read-only media such as CD-ROMs. HFS is the name used by developers, but in user documentation the format is referred to as Mac OS Standard to differentiate it from its successor HFS Plus which is called Mac OS Extended.