Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for associating a file descriptor with a selected file within a data processing system that has multiple diverse operating systems, a number of diverse incompatible file systems, and a single file service which controls access by the operating systems to the file systems. When a request for file services, which specifies a file descriptor to be associated with a selected file, is received from a particular operating system in a format specific to that particular operating system, the file descriptor is converted into a nonspecific format utilized by the file service which includes an indication of the specific format utilized by the particular operating system. The file descriptor is examined to determine a destination file system and is then transmitted to that file system. If the destination file system supports the nonspecific format, the file descriptor is stored within the destination file system in association with the selected file.