What is a fragmented file and explain how it can be solved in a computer system(3 marks)

A fragmented file is a file that is divided into multiple parts or fragments, scattered across different locations on a computer's storage system. This fragmentation occurs when the file system allocates space for a file in a non-contiguous manner, meaning that the file's data is stored in separate chunks rather than being stored in a single continuous block.

To solve the issue of fragmented files in a computer system, the following steps can be taken:

1. Defragmentation: Defragmentation is the process of rearranging the fragmented file data on a storage device to consolidate it into contiguous blocks. This can be done using a defragmentation tool or utility provided by the operating system. The tool scans the storage device, identifies fragmented files, and moves the fragments to adjacent free space, resulting in a more organized and efficient file system.

2. Disk Cleanup: Disk cleanup involves removing unnecessary files and temporary data from the computer system. By deleting unwanted files, such as temporary internet files, system logs, and unused applications, the amount of fragmented data can be reduced, leading to a more optimized file system.

3. Regular Maintenance: Regularly performing system maintenance tasks, such as disk cleanup and defragmentation, can help prevent excessive fragmentation in the first place. By scheduling these tasks to run automatically or performing them manually on a regular basis, the file system can be kept in a more organized state, minimizing the occurrence of fragmented files.

By implementing these steps, the issue of fragmented files can be effectively solved in a computer system, resulting in improved performance and efficiency.