August 30, 2005 - (HOSTSEARCH.COM) - Microsoft released a test version of their WinFS file management system to MSDN subscribers. The new relational file system for Windows will make it easier to centrally manage data according to the Microsoft website, “As an essential piece of Microsoft’s Integrated Storage strategy, WinFS bridges the gap between file systems and databases and provides a unified, rich programming platform for all data: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured.”
Translated from marketing speak into English this means that the system will update all relevant areas when one item of data is updated. For example, a user data base of customers would be updated when an Outlook address contact was updated.
Originally the WinFS file system was slated to go out with the Longhorn or Vista OS but Microsoft decided to pull the file system in order to allow the OS to go to market in 2006. WinFS will only be in beta at that time.
