Files are allocated disk space by the operating system using linked allocation method, Explain four characteristics of this method. (8 marks)DICT MOD 1 July 2020

The linked allocation method is a technique used by the operating system to allocate disk space to files. In this method, each file is represented by a chain of blocks (also known as clusters) on the disk, with each block containing a pointer to the next block in the chain. This technique has several characteristics that distinguish it from other methods of disk allocation:

1. Dynamic allocation: The linked allocation method allows for dynamic allocation of disk space to files. This means that the size of a file can grow or shrink as needed, without the need to pre-allocate a fixed amount of disk space.
2. Linked list structure: As mentioned earlier, the linked allocation method uses a linked list structure to represent the blocks of a file on the disk. This allows the operating system to easily locate and manipulate the blocks of a file.
3. Fragmentation: The linked allocation method can result in fragmentation of the disk, as blocks of a file may not be contiguous on the disk. This can lead to reduced performance, as the disk head must move more frequently to access the blocks of a file.
4. File deletion: The linked allocation method makes it easy to delete a file, as the operating system can simply follow the pointers in the linked list to locate all of the blocks of the file and release them back to the free space on the disk.