File Storage Method Preventing Fragmentation via Tail Space Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
File fragmentation on disks leads to increased seek time and decreased Input/Output (IO) performance, as files are stored in discontinuous clusters, necessitating frequent disk defragmentation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that recognize editable files and store them continuously, reserving additional storage space to prevent fragmentation by allocating space at the tail of the file, allowing new content to be stored there, thus maintaining continuous storage and improving IO performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If files are stored continuously on disk, then IO performance is improved, but additional storage space is required to accommodate file growth without fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reserving additional storage space (tail space) for editable files before they actually need it. When a file is identified as editable, the system pre-allocates extra clusters at the end of the file's storage location. This allows future file expansions to occur contiguously without requiring defragmentation, thus maintaining high IO performance while accommodating file growth.
2Stability of the object's composition
If editable files are stored with reserved additional space, then file fragmentation is prevented, but storage space utilization decreases due to reserved space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reserved space adaptive rather than static. The system monitors the actual growth needs of editable files and adjusts the utilization of reserved space accordingly. When files grow into their reserved space, that space is fully utilized. When files don't expand as much as reserved, the unused reserved space can be reclaimed or allocated to other files, thus dynamically optimizing storage utilization while maintaining file continuity.
3Productivity
If conventional disk defragmentation is performed, then existing file fragmentations are consolidated, but new fragmentations are generated when files are modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by taking preventive measures against file fragmentation before it occurs. Instead of reacting to fragmentation after it happens (through defragmentation), the system identifies editable files and reserves additional contiguous space for them in advance. This preliminary protective action prevents new fragmentations from forming when files are modified, making the system resistant to fragmentation rather than merely repairing it.
Data Source
AI summary
The provided is a file storage method and apparatus. The method includes: recognizing an editable file; and storing the editable file continuously, and reserving additional storage space for the editable file. The embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent the generation of file fragmentation to some degree.