GATE CS 2017 Set 2 — Question 8
Go beyond PYQs with Success TrackerAI-powered personalised practice and doubt support. Unlimited practice on eligible plans; AI usage limits apply.MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyFile Allocation MethodsFile SystemsOperating SystemFragmentationMemory Management
Operating System → File Systems → File Allocation Methods
Last updated
Question
In a file allocation system, which of the following allocation scheme(s) can be used if no external fragmentation is allowed?I. Contiguous
II. Linked
III. Indexed
II. Linked
III. Indexed
Correct answer
(D) II and III only
Solution
1.Contiguous Allocation: Requires a file to occupy a set of contiguous blocks on the disk. As files are created and deleted, the free disk space is broken into small pieces, leading to external fragmentation.
2.Linked Allocation: Each file is a linked list of disk blocks which can be scattered anywhere on the disk. Since any free block can be used to satisfy a request, there is no external fragmentation.
3.Indexed Allocation: All pointers for a file are brought together into one location called the index block. Like linked allocation, it supports non-contiguous storage and thus avoids external fragmentation.
Therefore, schemes and can be used if no external fragmentation is allowed.Continue learning with Success Tracker
A step still unclear? Work through it with support
Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE CS question to check your understanding.
AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans
- PYQs with solutions
- Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
- Practice that adapts
- Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
- AI doubt support
- Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.
Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.
This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.
More questions on File Systems
2026 Set 2 Q23Which one of the following CPU scheduling algorithms cannot be preemptive?2026 Set 1 Q29With respect to deadlocks in an operating system, which of the following statements is/are FALSE?2026 Set 1 Q31In the context of relational database normalization, which of the following statements is/are true?2026 Set 1 Q35Consider a system consisting of instances of a resource , being shared by 5 processes.…2026 Set 2 Q51Consider three processes P1, P2, and P3 running identical code, as shown in the pseudocode below. A…