What issue did the first extended file system (ext) aim to overcome?

The first extended file system (ext) was developed to address the limitations of its predecessor, the Minix file system, particularly focusing on file size limitations. Before ext, the Minix file system could only manage files up to 64 MB, which was a significant constraint for users who required storage for larger files or an extensive number of files. The introduction of ext extended these capabilities, allowing for larger file sizes and an increased number of files to be managed on the system efficiently. This advancement was crucial for the growth of Linux systems and provided users with greater flexibility and functionality when managing their data. By increasing the maximum file size and improving overall file management, ext laid the groundwork for subsequent file systems that continued to enhance storage capabilities.