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If a system using the buddy system frequently experiences internal fragmentation, which of the following strategies would best reduce it without sacrificing allocation speed?

hard🎤 Interviewer Follow-up Q15 of Q15
Operating Systems - Internal vs External Fragmentation - Compaction & Buddy System
If a system using the buddy system frequently experiences internal fragmentation, which of the following strategies would best reduce it without sacrificing allocation speed?
AIncrease the minimum block size in the buddy system to reduce splitting overhead
BUse compaction to rearrange allocated blocks and reduce fragmentation
CImplement a slab allocator on top of the buddy system for frequently requested object sizes
DSwitch to fixed partitioning to eliminate internal fragmentation
Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify internal fragmentation cause

    Buddy system rounds allocations to power-of-two sizes, causing internal fragmentation.

  2. Step 2: Evaluate strategies

    Slab allocator efficiently manages fixed-size objects, reducing internal fragmentation without slowing allocation.

  3. Step 3: Analyze other options

    Increasing minimum block size (A) increases internal fragmentation; compaction (C) addresses external fragmentation; fixed partitioning (D) is inflexible and can worsen fragmentation.

  4. Final Answer:

    Option C -> Option C

  5. Quick Check:

    Slab allocators complement buddy system to reduce internal fragmentation [OK]
Quick Trick: Slab allocator + buddy system = less internal fragmentation [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Thinking compaction reduces internal fragmentation
  • Assuming bigger minimum block size reduces fragmentation
  • Believing fixed partitioning eliminates fragmentation
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Option C confuses fragmentation types; A and D worsen internal fragmentation or inflexibility; B is a known expert solution.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests advanced understanding of fragmentation mitigation strategies beyond basic buddy system.
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