Apple Inc.
Techniques for managing file fragmentation at a computing device

Abstract:

The described embodiments set forth techniques for managing the fragmentation of files at a computing device. Specifically, the techniques involve, for a given file, analyzing different extents of the file under a "segment window" basis to identify whether a fragmentation threshold is satisfied between the extents that correspond to the scope of the segment window. In turn, for each segment window that satisfies the threshold level of fragmentation, (1) the data for the extents is copied into an allocated area of contiguous memory, and (2) the extents are updated to reference the copied data. Additionally, the original data referred to by the extents can be freed for usage within the computing device, thereby increasing storage space. In this manner, the overall fragmentation of the file is substantially reduced under the segment window basis, thereby improving the overall performance of the computing device.