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Identify the misconception in the following statement: "The buddy system completely eliminates external fragmentation by always merging free buddy blocks immediately after deallocation."

medium🐞 Bug Identification Q7 of Q15
Operating Systems - Internal vs External Fragmentation - Compaction & Buddy System
Identify the misconception in the following statement: "The buddy system completely eliminates external fragmentation by always merging free buddy blocks immediately after deallocation."
ABuddy system cannot merge buddies if they are not free simultaneously
BExternal fragmentation is eliminated only if compaction is also used
CMerging buddies can cause internal fragmentation to increase
DThe buddy system merges blocks lazily, not immediately
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:

  1. Step 1: Understand buddy system merging

    Merging occurs only if both buddy blocks are free at the same time.

  2. Step 2: Analyze statement

    The statement incorrectly assumes immediate merging after any deallocation.

  3. Step 3: Evaluate options

    Buddy system cannot merge buddies if they are not free simultaneously correctly identifies that merging requires both buddies to be free simultaneously; Merging buddies can cause internal fragmentation to increase is incorrect as merging does not increase internal fragmentation; External fragmentation is eliminated only if compaction is also used is false as buddy system reduces but does not eliminate external fragmentation alone; The buddy system merges blocks lazily, not immediately is incorrect as merging is immediate when possible.

  4. Final Answer:

    Option A -> Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Merging requires both buddies free simultaneously [OK]
Quick Trick: Buddies merge only if both are free simultaneously [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Assuming immediate merging after any free
  • Confusing internal and external fragmentation effects
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Candidates overlook the condition that both buddies must be free to merge, leading to false assumptions.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests subtle understanding of buddy system merging conditions.
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