Re: Defragging a directory?

[nathan@visi.com (Nathan Mates)]

In article <55ttr7$n5g@news.emi.com>, Edhel Iaur <drsmooth@relex.com> wrote:
>nathan@visi.com (Nathan Mates) wrote:
>>In article <55jlr7$2e7@news.emi.com>, Edhel Iaur <drsmooth@relex.com> wrote:
>>>Is there a way to defrag a ProDOS subdirectory file on a 3.5" disk?
>>>If so, what is it?

>>   ProSEL might have this capability built into its disk defragger,
>>but I'm not sure about what you're asking, and the exact details of
>>ProSEL's abilities.

>What I mean, is that on my favorite 3.5" disk, I did a disk map, and
>confirmed my fear:  My subdirectory file is in many scattered pieces.
>The directory file is about 16 blocks, so when Copy ][+ looks for
>subdirs when it's making a tree directory, it takes forever for it to
>go through all of my subdirectory.  Is there a way to reassemble all
>of the pieces of my subdirectory file, into 1 contiguous block?

   The answer to this is much simpler. ProSEL-16 has the capability to
defrag a disk with all the directories placed up front. Thus, that'll
minimize disk head movement. Salvation: Renaissance can defrag a disk
into linear depth-first search order-- starting with the first file
in the root dir, follow the tree as far as possible, then the second
file in the root dir, etc.

   Both programs treat subdirs just like any other file when
optimizing-- it puts all their blocks together. 

>I heard the UniDisk 3.5 goes at different speeds for accessing
>different parts of the disk.  If so, it would be preferable to put the
>subdirectory on a part of the disk that is spun at high speeds?

   There'll be a slight advantage, but probably not a tenth as much as
putting the whole dir together in one place. ProSEL's "sort
directories to the front" option will put all dirs on the low numbered
tracks, which are the fastest, a nice side effect.

Nathan Mates


--
<*> Nathan Mates http://www.visi.com/~nathan/      <*>
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