How does ipfs find the names of files?

[kevinsimper]

If you hash a directory, then the files inside that hash can be pointed at with their original name? How is that possible, because each file can still be addressed individually by their hash.

[Ghoughpteighbteau]

The base component of everything in IPFS is the "Block". and the block basically can be a list of names to hashes, or a list sub blocks and a blob.

~ $ ipfs object get QmSszskauNW84RVSjuKwKhi1uv8xkgDG2dUiaWEZaMM21S | jq
{
  "Links": [
    {
      "Name": "README.md",
      "Hash": "Qmbs8nJ2pDFUXbrxKgQdok5F3j46CeQ6H3SKiSqShzhtkE",
      "Size": 167
    },
    {
      "Name": "assets",
      "Hash": "QmY9hi4p7hhZWQ1KmkcUdurXTuZewRxs7SPZfEuAm92nfg",
      "Size": 2085821
    },
    {
      "Name": "index.html",
      "Hash": "QmZV31M1TXgVZYEGEYotbU24BnEm4QL627cGpMcUGGFPCH",
      "Size": 95193
    },
    {
      "Name": "mapbox-gl.css",
      "Hash": "QmXYv8fM2khaFR7HRAaipPQgvHpJQJ6xqRrLEeMnRQdQn6",
      "Size": 6404
    },
    {
      "Name": "mapbox-gl.js",
      "Hash": "QmeWwLgpujVtj6wpwKcfQZuq5gUdWwnFTc4NPkeyVi9Vo9",
      "Size": 322137
    },
    {
      "Name": "mapbox-gl.js.map",
      "Hash": "QmTvQQjBd3HUi65hyFdeejCLvEMD5TZsUSsEk3ZchdaRHn",
      "Size": 1139693
    }
  ],
  "Data": "\b\u0001"
}
~ $ ipfs object get QmTAJnMHpMLL8GF3WZjEAoMWo2eLDscBxBvCuLU3zCCZhp | jq
{
  "Links": [
    {
      "Name": "",
      "Hash": "QmPEEQPsErRnPhXr4Zst5P2Zfmstcxxm59iNjDzz2dhYqy",
      "Size": 45623854
    },
    {
      "Name": "",
      "Hash": "QmWAoGsvLQTPH54uqx3H3kGFHJ99GdztygNLKiCKsZ5T6U",
      "Size": 6796349
    }
  ],
  "Data": "\b\u0002\u0018���\u0018 ���\u0015 �۞\u0003"
}

so Readme.md is addressed in two ways in IPFS. Indirectly through this directory Block.

~ $ ipfs cat QmSszskauNW84RVSjuKwKhi1uv8xkgDG2dUiaWEZaMM21S/README.md
# OSM vector tiles on IPFS

...

or directly through its hash.

~ $ ipfs cat Qmbs8nJ2pDFUXbrxKgQdok5F3j46CeQ6H3SKiSqShzhtkE
# OSM vector tiles on IPFS
...

[kevinsimper]

Okay, really good answer 👍 I have not used object yet!

[Kubuxu]

Only note: there is difference between objects and blocks, blocks are uninterpreted blobs (ipfs block) and objects are blocks in unifs format.

[flyingzumwalt]

This issue was moved to https://discuss.ipfs.io/t/how-does-ipfs-find-the-names-of-files/437