Disk fragmentation refers to the condition of a disk in which files are divided into pieces scattered around the disk. Fragmentation occurs naturally when you use a disk frequently, creating, deleting and modifying files. At some point, the operating system needs to store parts of a file in clusters. This is entirely invisible to users, but it can slow down the speed at which data is accessed because the disk drive must search through different parts of the disk to put together a single file. In newer systems, you can defragment a disk with the DEFRAG command. You can also buy software utilities, called disk optimizers or defragmenters that defragment a disk.
Disk fragmentation can cause the performance of the disk to suffer. This occurs when the database grows and so the file becomes severely fragmented. Some disk fragmentation may not cause severe damage, in other words not enough to slow the performance down. This problem can continue to grow within the database causing further fragmentation.
One way to deal with fragmentation is to periodically run a defragmentation utility such as the Speed Disk Component of Norton Utilities. Another option would be to store files separately on disks. The files will then have enough room to grow and the operating system will be more efficient in locating them.
The importance of saving files on disks should never be understated. Files that maybe needed for later use should be stored on optimized disks for optimized performance. Fragmentation of disks can be avoided with the proper care and use of the disk.