Defragmentation Software
Computer Science: OCR A Level, topic 2.2.4
Defragmentation Software
Defragmentation software is a common type of utility software.
Fragmentation
- When files are written to secondary storage, they are not always written in one continuous block. They may be split up.
- If a single file is stored in different places on a storage device, we say that the file is fragmented.
- Fragmented files take longer to load.
Defragmentation
- Defragmentation software reorganises the data on the storage device so that data from the same file is stored in adjacent blocks.
- Defragmentation software will increase the performance of the computer.
Solid state drives
- Solid state drives (SSDs) provide random access to data.
- This means that fragmented data does not take any longer to load.
- SSDs should never be defragmented because this will push the device towards its read/write cycle limit, which shortens its lifetime.
Test yourself on Defragmentation Software
What is the issue with fragmented files?