Score:0

Why does Ubuntu use ext4 by default?

cn flag

Note: I'm not asking how to use a different filesystem. I'm asking for the reasoning behind the choice of ext4.

Ubuntu (21.10) uses ext4 by default. But, there are a great many other filesystems that have great features. ZFS, for example, can stripe disks (see RAID-Z). There are other good ones, for example XFS has great performance for a very large number of files.

So, what is the rationale for picking EXT4 as the default?

guiverc avatar
cn flag
I suspect this question is asking for opinions and thus off-topic (https://askubuntu.com/help/dont-ask); as most users of the site aren't on the Ubuntu Foundations Team, thus won't have *been in the room* as discussions on the default file-systems are made (*which change too over time too*). *ext4* is solid & reliable; and a good choice for those that don't have specific use-cases in mind & thus will choose & use something else with their installs (*thus aren't impacted by default choice anyway*). My 2c
cocomac avatar
cn flag
@guiverc I see 4 close votes, so I guess I'm wrong... but there are [several](https://askubuntu.com/q/424/1438484) [other](https://askubuntu.com/q/42724/1438484) [questions](https://askubuntu.com/q/638918/1438484) that ask simaler things, like the rationale for a choice, or why one thing was chosen over something else, and those appear to be fine, and those seem to be simaler in the "only the creators would know" style. Can someone help me understand why this question is off-topic, whereas [simaler questions](https://askubuntu.com/q/638918/1438484) appear to be on-topic?
stumblebee avatar
mx flag
@cocomac the "similar questions" you are inquiring about are there on AU for historical purposes. Those questions were long before [askubuntu.com/help/dont-ask](https://askubuntu.com/help/dont-ask) was implemented to enforce a Q+A site instead of a chat room.
Score:8
cn flag

Ubuntu did not "pick" ext4. Debian did.

Mark Shuttleworth's original vision was to create a not-quite-fork of Debian that could sign contracts, collect revenue, and hire engineers. A corollary to that vision of Debian-for-enterprise was that Ubuntu had to hew very close to stock Debian.

It still does. That's why Ubuntu uses Debian sources, apt, NetworkManager, systemd, ...and ext4... among many other Debian-made decisions.

The Ubuntu Foundations Team does have the authority to strike a different path, and on occasion it has done so. But, for most issues, the Ubuntu Foundations Team has agreed with the Debian consensus.

Ubuntu and Debian do run happily on many different filesystems, and users can install Debian or Ubuntu on those filesystems fairly easily. Debian's default, however, remains ext4. And nobody has yet presented the Ubuntu Foundations Team a compelling reason for Ubuntu to differ.

guiverc avatar
cn flag
I do so love your answers @user535733... factual & answering the question, whilst staying on-topic. Well done Sir.
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