I/O Scheduling
I/O scheduling is a system-level concept in operating systems that manages the order and priority of input/output (I/O) operations, such as disk reads and writes, to optimize performance and resource utilization. It involves algorithms that decide which I/O request to service next from a queue, aiming to reduce latency, improve throughput, and ensure fairness among processes. This is critical in environments with high I/O demands, like databases, file servers, and virtualized systems.
Developers should learn I/O scheduling when working on performance-critical applications, system-level programming, or operating system development, as it directly impacts application responsiveness and efficiency. It is essential for optimizing database performance, reducing disk seek times in storage systems, and managing I/O in cloud or virtualized environments where resource contention is common. Understanding I/O scheduling helps in tuning systems for better scalability and reliability under heavy loads.