1. A method for using a sparse file as a clone, the method comprising; creating, by an application, a snapshot of a file, wherein the application is associated with a computer having a processor; requesting, by the application, the clone of the snapshot; generating, by the application, an empty sparse file, having at least one inode identifying the empty sparse file as the clone and pointing to the snapshot associated with the clone; and whereby, the clone is created using the sparse file that begins as the empty sparse file.