Operating System: File Allocation Methods

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What is the main challenge faced by operating systems?

Effectively utilizing storage space for files (correct)

Protecting against malware

Managing multiple users

Providing network connectivity

Which allocation method assigns a contiguous address space to a file on disk?

Random Allocation

Linked Allocation

Contiguous Allocation (correct)

Indexed Allocation

What is a major disadvantage of Contiguous Allocation?

Difficulty in file deletion

Inefficient use of disk space

Limited file growth

External fragmentation (correct)

What is the primary way that editors and compilers access files?

Sequential access Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of Linked Allocation?

No external fragmentation Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of Linked Allocation?

Reliability issues due to pointer damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism that allows direct access to a record in a file?

Random access Signup and view all the answers

What additional space is required in Linked Allocation?

Space for pointers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an index in indexed sequential access?

To access the file directly Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for allocating disk space to files?

Operating system Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of access that is based on a tape model of a file?

Sequential access Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of the direct-access nature of secondary storage?

Flexibility in file allocation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a file system in an operating system?

To create a structure for storing data and files Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the information stored in RAM when a process terminates?

It is lost because RAM is volatile Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key functions of a file system in terms of file naming?

To establish file-naming conventions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of partitioning and formatting disks in a file system?

To store and retrieve information Signup and view all the answers

What type of information might be stored on storage media in a file system?

The total number of blocks and location of free blocks Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key functions of a file system in terms of data security?

To secure the information in files Signup and view all the answers