Methods and apparatus uniquely distinguish one file from another in a file system. In one embodiment, a flat architecture uses metadata of files for distinguishment, but files can have identical names and pathname(s) are unneeded. During a file save or find operation, users supply terms useful to themselves regarding the file, but created underlying metadata distinguishes all files. Also, an ever-decreasing list of possible file matches accompanies the save or find operation as users enter more save or search terms regarding files under present consideration. Other features contemplate a user interface (UI), a file system manager and an API exposed to other applications/computing devices. Computer program products are also disclosed.