I/O Scheduling Algorithms

I/O scheduling algorithms manage how a computer’s storage device (like a hard drive or SSD) handles multiple read/write requests. Their goal is to improve performance by deciding the order of these requests to reduce wait times and seek distances. Different algorithms prioritize requests based on factors like arrival time (First Come, First Served), proximity on the disk (SCAN or Elevator), or optimizing for speed and fairness (C-LOOK, NFQ). Efficient scheduling minimizes delays, maximizes throughput, and ensures smooth data access for applications and users.