Fragmentation Definition

In computer science, fragmentation is defined as the process of breaking down a data structure into smaller pieces. There are two types of fragmentation: internal and external. Internal fragmentation occurs when there is unused space within a data structure, while external fragmentation occurs when there are gaps of unused space between data structures.

External fragmentation can be caused by many factors, including memory allocation algorithms, dynamic memory allocation, and system-level resource management policies. Internal fragmentation is usually the result of poor design choices or implementation errors.

Fragmentation can have negative consequences for system performance, including decreased throughput and increased latency. In some cases, it may also lead to out-of-memory errors. To avoid these problems, developers must carefully consider how they will allocate and manage memory in their applications.