Atomic renaming and moving of data files, while permitting lock-free
look-ups to the data files, is disclosed. A temporary record may be
created within a hash chain encompassing a record for a data file and
corresponding to a location of the data file within a computer file
system. The temporary record is linked within the hash chain so that the
temporary record points to the same records to which the record for the
data file points. The record for the data file is renamed with a new
name, and/or moved to a new location within the computer file system, and
the temporary record is removed from the hash chain. Before the temporary
record is removed, look-ups of the data file resolve to the temporary
record, the temporary record causing the look-ups to wait until the
record for the data file has been renamed and/or moved and the temporary
record removed.