Why does ext3 allocate 8 blocks for files that are few bytes long

Linux and Unix-Like Linux
1

The title is clear: why does ext3 allocate 8 blocks for files that are few bytes long?
If I create a file named "test", put a few chars in it, and then I run:

stat test

I get that "Blocks: 8"

I searched in the web and found that ext does that, it allocates 8 blocks even if It doesn't need it. Fine by me, but what if, at some moment, I need that space? Will I get it?
If so, how does ext3 manage those semi-allocated blocks?
If not... well then, I think something is wrong here, giving 32KB to any small file as if hdd space were free seems stupid.

Could anyone enlighten me?

2

This is so that the file can grow without fragmentation. There are parameters you can change, this may be among them. You can always try a different file system, but, always take a backup before any file system operations.

-----Post Update-----

You should read up on that. You can change, at creation, the block group size or even the reserved count (5% space reserved for root, by default).

3

I believe that is the "tail", giving the file room to expand without fragmenting. You can turn that off with the 'notail' option to mount.

4

Yes, I know ext3 does this to prevent fragmentation. But

mark54g, I think that "block group size" you mention is not the same thing as what I am talking about. The block group size is the size of the groups in the partition (ext2/3 is divided internally in block groups) and has nothing to do with ext3 giving me 8 blocks when it should be giving me 1.

Corona688, I searched and all I found about the notail option is that it is only for reiserFS, not for ext3.

Any ideas?

5

Hmm. Tail-packing is being worked on for ext3 apparently but still an alpha feature.

I do think you can get that extra space if you really need it. But if your filesystem gets to the 99% full point where it needs it then you've got bigger problems. No filesystems deal well with being nearly full.