[CentOS] Question about optimal filesystem with many small files.

[Alexander Georgiev]

>
> My original idea was using the just the hash as filename, by this way I
> could have a direct access. But the customer rejected this and requested to
> have part of the long file name (from 11 to 1023 characters). As linux only
> allows 256 characters in the path and I could get duplicates with the 256
> first chars, I trim teh real filename to around 200 characters and I add the
> hash at the end (plus a couple metadata small fields).
>
> Yes, there requirements does not makes too much sense, but I've tried to
> convince the customer to use just the hash with no luck (seems he does not
> understand well what is a hash although I've tried to explain it several
> times).
>
> That's why  I need or a) use mysql or b) do a directory lising.

I would use either only a database, or only the file system. To me -
using them both is a violation of KISS.

If you were able to convince them to change the directory layout, and
if you are more confortable with a database  - try to convince them to
use a database.