Using RootData

All CBFS Storage vaults contain a special data stream called RootData which can be used for application-defined purposes. A vault's RootData stream can only be accessed using the open_root_data method, because the stream itself is not part of the vault's filesystem hierarchy. The standalone nature of the RootData stream means that:

• It does not have a path in the filesystem, which prevents it from being found using find_first or find_first_by_query, or accessed via a CBDrive-based virtual drive.
• It cannot have any file tags, attributes, times, or alternate streams associated with it.
• It cannot be compressed using the set_file_compression method.
• It cannot be encrypted using the set_file_encryption method.

The RootData stream is also exempt from whole-vault encryption. This exemption is intentional; it allows applications which utilize whole-vault encryption to store information about said encryption (e.g., encrypted session keys, certificates, access control lists (ACLs), etc.) within the vault itself, thus simplifying application design.

(Note: All API members discussed in this topic are available in both CBDrive, CBMemDrive, and CBVault, unless otherwise noted.)