3.3. "Everything is a File"

Unix introduces the idea of using file paths to represent "special files" that serve functions beyond typical files. For instance, a device file acts as a reference to a hardware resource, appearing in the form of a file path. The "Everything is a file" principle in Unix-like systems allows various devices, processes, and kernel parameters to be accessed as if they were regular files in the filesystem. If you're using a Linux machine, you can navigate to /proc to observe this in action.

vortexOS takes this concept to the next level, offering even more flexibility. Each "scheme provider" in vortexOS can interpret paths in its own way, enabling the creation of new schemes tailored to specific resource types. For example, USB devices don't need to be placed in a conventional filesystem but can exist within a protocol-based scheme like EHCI. There's no requirement for the file system itself to comprehend the meaning of a path or assign unique properties to special files that would otherwise impose strict conventions.

The schemes in vortexOS are highly adaptable, granting scheme providers complete freedom to define path structures and meanings. Only the programs that need to utilize these specific meanings need to understand them.