From the GPT division of storage space, through APFS containers, down to individual volumes, an account of how APFS works.
partition
A step-by-step account of how Disk Arbitration and APFS mount an external disk, from handling its partitions, to performing trims.
How APFS containers and volumes work. What hard links, clones and sparse files are, and when they break down.
The differences between HFS+ and APFS volumes explored. What a container is, and how to add new HFS+ and APFS volumes to a disk.
Boot disk volume layout is intricate in Big Sur. M1 Macs lose the EFI partition on their internal SSDs and gain two more for APFS. Contents of /System/Volumes has also changed.
Disk structure diagrammed for comparison, from the partition table, to HFS+ and APFS volumes, with further references.
What you need to know about the APFS file system, its containers and volumes, so you can understand errors and how to repair them.
What you need to know about the HFS+ file system, so you can understand error reports and how to repair it using Disk Utility and other tools.
What you need to know about disk formatting using the GUID Partition Table (GPT) to understand its problems and how to repair it.
What do you know about the hidden and unmounted EFI partition on all the disks you use with your Mac? It could be very important.
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