Software Installation File Placement Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional application installation methods lead to disk fragmentation, resulting in slower performance and longer launch times due to the placement of files in non-optimal locations on the storage medium, as the operating system installs files individually without considering disk performance or access order.
Innovation Solution
An installation process that identifies performance metrics of different disk regions and strategically positions files in high-performance areas to minimize fragmentation, using a dynamic training process to sort and group files by access frequency and location for improved access efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the operating system installs files individually in fragmented areas of the disk to maximize storage utilization, then storage space utilization is improved, but application launch time and performance deteriorate due to increased disk head movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis during the installation process to identify files that will be accessed during application startup. It proactively positions these critical files in optimal disk locations (such as contiguous regions or high-performance zones) before the application is launched, rather than waiting for fragmentation to occur during normal operation. This preliminary positioning action resolves the contradiction by ensuring fast access paths are established in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different installation strategies to different files based on their access patterns. Critical startup files are positioned in optimal locations with high performance characteristics, while less critical files can be placed in fragmented areas. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing only the necessary files for fast access while still utilizing fragmented space for other files, thereby maintaining both storage utilization and performance.
2Productivity
If files are scattered across different fragments during installation to fill available storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but disk access performance deteriorates due to increased disk head seeking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the installation parameter from random fragmentation-based placement to performance metric-based placement. It evaluates disk regions using performance metrics (such as access speed, latency, or positional characteristics) and selects optimal regions for critical files. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by shifting the optimization criterion from storage efficiency alone to a balanced consideration of both storage efficiency and access speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of high-performance disk regions during installation and pre-positions critical files in these regions before the application runs. This preliminary action ensures that files requiring fast access are already in optimal locations, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and access speed by establishing performance-critical placements in advance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the installation process places files without considering access patterns, then installation simplicity is improved, but application performance deteriorates due to suboptimal file positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the installation process to automatically analyze the application's access patterns and self-determine optimal file positions without requiring manual intervention. The system services itself by identifying critical files and positioning them appropriately, resolving the contradiction by maintaining installation automation (simplicity) while achieving performance optimization through intelligent, self-directed file placement decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the installation process monitors or analyzes application file access patterns and uses this information to adjust file positioning decisions. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically optimize file placement based on actual access behavior, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and application performance by using data-driven decisions rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system installs an application by identifying a file set indicating files accessed during operation of the application. The system identifies a set of available storage areas that are accessible to a computerized device, and that are capable of storing files in the file set. The system identifies a performance metric associated with each of the storage areas in the set of available storage areas, and positions files from the file set into at least one storage area of the set of available storage areas. The files are positioned based on the performance metrics associated with the one storage area.