File tree streaming in a virtual file system for cloud-based shared content

A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, the non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when stored in memory and executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a set of acts for prefetching in a cloud-based storage system, the set of acts comprising:

• receiving a file tree request for a lower-latency display, in a user interface, of directory information pertaining to a content object in a first directory in a hierarchical file system within a cloud-based storage system;
• and
• in response to receiving the file tree request for the lower-latency display of the portion of the user interface,
• fetching a first portion of directory metadata pertaining to the content object or the first directory from the cloud-based storage system;
• predicting that the user device is to access a second directory in the hierarchical file system;
• prefetching a second portion of the directory metadata for a second directory from the cloud-based storage system, the second directory different from the first directory;
• and
• reducing latency in displaying the directory information in the user interface at least by servicing the file tree request with at least the second portion of the directory metadata, wherein prefetching reduces the latency for which at least the second directory is displayed in the user interface.

A system for prefetching in a cloud-based storage environment, the system comprising:

• a storage medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions;
• and
• a processor or processors that execute the instructions to cause the processor or processors to perform a set of acts, the set of acts comprising:
• receiving a file tree request for a lower-latency display, in a user interface, of directory information pertaining to a content object in a first directory in a hierarchical file system within a cloud-based storage system;
• and
• in response to receiving the file tree request for the lower-latency display of the portion of the user interface,
• fetching a first portion of directory metadata pertaining to the content object or the first directory from the cloud-based storage system;
• predicting that the user device is to access a second directory in the hierarchical file system;
• prefetching a second portion of the directory metadata for a second directory from the cloud-based storage system, the second directory different from the first directory;
• and
• reducing latency in displaying the directory information in the user interface at least by servicing the file tree request with at least the second portion of the directory metadata, wherein prefetching reduces the latency for which at least the second directory is displayed in the user interface.