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What is fragmentation in computer systems?
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Fragmentation refers to the inefficient use of storage space, where storage becomes fragmented into separate pieces, leading to performance degradation.
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Differentiate between internal and external fragmentation.
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Internal fragmentation occurs within a fixed-sized memory block, while external fragmentation happens when there is enough memory space but it's scattered into small, noncontiguous blocks.
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How does defragmentation improve system performance?
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Defragmentation reorganizes fragmented data on a disk drive, consolidating fragmented files into contiguous blocks, thus improving access speed and efficiency.
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What causes fragmentation in storage systems?
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Fragmentation is usually caused by frequent addition, deletion, and modification of files, which leads to files being stored in non-contiguous blocks.
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Is fragmentation an issue in solid-state drives (SSDs)?
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SSDs inherently manage data retrieval differently, making them less susceptible to performance issues caused by fragmentation compared to HDDs.
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Why might a system become slow due to fragmentation?
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Fragmentation can increase the time it takes for a system to access data, as it must retrieve scattered pieces from different parts of the storage device.
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What is a fragmentation threshold?
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A fragmentation threshold is the defined limit at which system administrators decide to perform defragmentation to prevent severe fragmentation.
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How can operating systems address fragmentation?
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Operating systems use various strategies like defragmenters and employing file systems that minimize fragmentation, such as those with journaling capabilities.
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What is compaction in the context of fragmentation?
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Compaction is the process of moving occupied memory blocks together to reduce fragmentation and free up larger contiguous blocks of memory.
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Give an example of a file system resistant to fragmentation.
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The ext4 file system is known for its resistance to fragmentation, employing techniques like extent-based allocation to minimize it.
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What is the effect of fragmentation on databases?
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Fragmentation in databases can lead to inefficient storage use and slower query processing, as records may be separated across various blocks.
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How does virtual memory contribute to fragmentation?
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Virtual memory can lead to fragmentation as it involves allocating memory in a non-contiguous way, resulting in gaps between allocated memory areas.
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What role does garbage collection play in fragmentation?
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Garbage collection helps manage fragmentation by reclaiming memory occupied by unused objects and attempting to compact memory.
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Can fragmentation be intentionally used positively in computing?
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Fragmentation can be deliberately used during data sharding in distributed databases to distribute load or during redundancy storage for reliability.
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What is contiguous memory allocation and its relation to fragmentation?
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Contiguous memory allocation assigns space for files/processes in contiguous blocks, which minimizes fragmentation but can lead to inefficient use of space.
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