The Anatomy of a Write Operation

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24d ago 10:25

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This story was originally published on HackerNoon at: https://hackernoon.com/the-anatomy-of-a-write-operation.
When file.write() returns, your data isn't on disk. Trace the 6-layer journey of a write operation from Python buffers to Linux kernel and SSD silicon.
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When you write to a file in Python, the "success" return value is an illusion. Your data hasn't actually hit the disk; it has merely entered a complex relay race of buffers. This article traces the lifecycle of a write operation across six layers: Python's internal memory, the Linux Virtual File System, the Page Cache, the Ext4 filesystem, the Block Layer, and finally the SSD controller. We explore why the OS prioritizes speed over safety and why you must use os.fsync() if you need a guarantee that your data has survived power loss.

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