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File Allocation Strategies Explained

File allocation strategies in operating systems include sequential, indexed, and linked allocation, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Sequential allocation is efficient for access but struggles with file growth, indexed allocation allows for easier expansion but is limited by index block size, and linked allocation reduces fragmentation at the cost of slower random access. The choice of strategy depends on the specific needs and access patterns of the system.

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35 views

File Allocation Strategies Explained

File allocation strategies in operating systems include sequential, indexed, and linked allocation, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Sequential allocation is efficient for access but struggles with file growth, indexed allocation allows for easier expansion but is limited by index block size, and linked allocation reduces fragmentation at the cost of slower random access. The choice of strategy depends on the specific needs and access patterns of the system.

Uploaded by

Prateek sbl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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File Allocation Strategies in Operating Systems

1 Introduction
File allocation strategies define how disk space is allocated to files. The three
major strategies used in operating systems are:

• Sequential Allocation
• Indexed Allocation
• Linked Allocation

Each method has its own advantages, disadvantages, and impact on disk
performance.

2 Sequential Allocation
In sequential allocation, a file occupies contiguous blocks on the disk. The
starting block and the number of blocks required are stored in the directory
entry.

2.1 How it Works


• The file is assigned a continuous range of blocks.

• The system keeps track of the starting block and the length of the file.
• Accessing data is efficient as all blocks are adjacent.
• If a file grows beyond its allocated blocks, it must be entirely relocated.

2.2 Fragmentation Issues


• External Fragmentation: If there are free blocks scattered across the
disk, a new file may not be allocated even if the total free space is sufficient.
• File Expansion Problem: If a file needs additional space but the next
contiguous block is occupied, the file must be moved.

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3 Indexed Allocation
Indexed allocation uses an index block that contains pointers to the file’s blocks.

3.1 How it Works


• A separate index block is created for each file.

• The index block stores pointers to all blocks occupied by the file.
• Blocks need not be contiguous, eliminating external fragmentation.
• File expansion is easier, as new blocks can be added anywhere.

3.2 Limitations
• If the index block is corrupted, all pointers to the file are lost.
• The size of the index block limits the number of blocks a file can have.

4 Linked Allocation
In linked allocation, each block contains a pointer to the next block in the file.

4.1 How it Works


• A file is stored as a linked list of disk blocks.
• Each block contains a pointer to the next block.
• Blocks do not need to be contiguous, reducing fragmentation.

• The last block contains a NULL pointer to mark the end of the file.

4.2 Disadvantages
• Random access is slow since traversal is necessary.

• If a block is corrupted, the entire file may become inaccessible.


• Additional storage is required for pointers in each block.

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5 Comparison Table

Feature Sequential Indexed Linked


Contiguity Required Yes No No
Fragmentation External None None
File Growth Difficult Easy Easy
Random Access Fast Fast Slow
Storage Overhead Low Medium (Index Block) High (Pointers in Blocks)
Corruption Impact High (Data Loss) Medium High (File Loss)

6 Conclusion
Each allocation strategy has trade-offs. Sequential allocation is simple but inef-
ficient for growing files. Indexed allocation allows fast access but needs an index
block. Linked allocation reduces fragmentation but is slow for random access.
The best method depends on system needs and file access patterns.

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