The process that consolidates files into contiguous clusters is called defragmentation. When files are created, modified, or deleted, they can become fragmented, meaning their data is scattered across non-contiguous clusters on the disk. Defragmentation rearranges the data, moving fragments together to create a single, continuous block, which improves access speed and overall system performance. This process is typically performed by specialized software or built-in system tools.
DOS allocates files using a File Allocation Table (FAT), which keeps track of which clusters on the disk are occupied and which are free. When a file is created, DOS finds free clusters, marks them as used in the FAT, and links them together to form a chain that represents the file's location on the disk. This method allows for efficient space management and retrieval of files, but can lead to fragmentation over time as files are created and deleted. The allocation process is primarily sequential, favoring contiguous space when possible.
The Disk Defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes fragmented data on a hard drive to improve system performance. Over time, files can become scattered across the disk, leading to slower read and write times. The defragmentation process consolidates these files, making them contiguous and easier for the system to access. This can enhance overall system speed and efficiency, particularly on traditional spinning hard drives (HDDs).
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Fragmentation can occur when data is written and deleted from a storage device unevenly, causing files to be stored in non-contiguous clusters. This can slow down read/write speeds as the computer has to scan different parts of the disk to access a file. Fragmentation can be reduced by defragmenting the disk, which involves rearranging the data so that it is stored in contiguous clusters, improving overall system performance.
Contiguous: Immediately adjacent. For example, contiguous sectors on a disk are sectors that come one after the other. Frequently, a file stored on disk can become fragmented, which means that it is stored on non-contiguous sectors. taken from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/contiguous.HTML So one could assume that the difference is that contiguous files are files that are stored immediately adjacent from one another (together) and non-contiguous files are not stored adjacently hence are separated or scattered. Hope this was of some help.
They are called FRAGMENTED files
Defragmentation. In Windows: Click: Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter
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Yes, tracks on a storage medium like a hard drive or SSD are typically divided into clusters. A cluster is the smallest unit of data that the file system can manage, which consists of one or more contiguous sectors. This division allows for efficient storage allocation and management, as files are stored in these clusters rather than individually in sectors. The cluster size can vary depending on the file system and the size of the storage medium.
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Yes
fragmentation