Which filesystem is appropriate for formatting an USB-stick and install an operation-system?

Question

I have installed my linux-system on a USB-stick. That works well, I can use it on different computers. I used ext4 as filesystem and ask myself it this is the best choice. Which file-system is best for USB-sticks? A good filesystem should not destroy the flash-drive too fast. Additional activities to secure data-integrity might be good (I do an daily backup). Another criterion might be higher performance.

Answer 1

FAT tends to be what they put on flash drives because it is the only filesystem that operates on all of the major operating systems.

NTFS tends be for people who

1. Use Windows, and
2. Prefer performance over safety

(FAT writes in a way that minimizes write grouping at the sacrifice of performance.)

Though it seems you are using Linux off of it. That case, ext4 is pretty much all you're gonna get out of it. It's journaling so data integrity is kept and is fairly fast and stable.

Word of advice with Linux USBs however: unless you use something like Slax or Puppy Linux, your drive isn't going to last much longer than 2, maybe 3 years.