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    Question

    What is the main purpose of disk scheduling in an

    operating system?
    A To manage and allocate memory space to different processes. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B To prioritize and order disk I/O requests to minimize seek time and improve overall performance. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C To control the execution and timing of CPU instructions in a multi-tasking environment. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D To handle network traffic and optimize data transmission rates over a network. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E To provide security and access control mechanisms for file systems and directories. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    Disk scheduling is a crucial function in an operating system that aims to optimize the performance of disk I/O operations. The main purpose of disk scheduling is to prioritize and order disk I/O requests in a way that minimizes the seek time (the time it takes for the disk's read/write head to move to the correct track) and improves overall system performance. Different disk scheduling algorithms are used to achieve this, such as: • First-Come, First-Served (FCFS): Processes requests in the order they arrive, which can lead to inefficiencies if requests are scattered across the disk. • Shortest Seek Time First (SSTF): Chooses the request closest to the current head position to reduce seek time. • SCAN (Elevator Algorithm): Moves the disk arm in one direction, servicing requests until it reaches the end, then reverses direction. • C-SCAN (Circular SCAN): Moves the disk arm in one direction and, when it reaches the end, jumps to the beginning of the disk and continues servicing requests.

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