Defrag

[richtea]

There is just one correct answer to:

How can I defrag on this OS?

Namely: "But why?"

Now we know:

I want to defrag it coz my laptop is getting slower, I don't have a lot of files. So, I'm hoping it could solve the problem.

Not a lot of files, so why fragmentation in particular should be the cause of a slowdown? It is more like trying to take a pot shot at the issue.

On Linux, generally, defragging is an exercise in futility. There are just two scenarios when it might have an effect:

1. Massive databases that are continuously amended.
2. HD packed to the gills with stuff.

Having used Linux OSs for some 15 years now, I have never, ever had to defrag. Frankly, I do not think there is much dissenting opinion on that.

[then00b]

There are varying opinions on the need to defrag Linux in normal desktop day to day usage, and only required for heavy duty servers/databases etc...

But to Check & Defrag your root /

Code: [Select]

sudo e4defrag -c /
sudo e4defrag -v /

To check & defrag /home

Code: [Select]

sudo e4defrag -c /home
sudo e4defrag -v /home


More details on e4defrag

Hey man! Thanks! The reason I want to defrag it coz my laptop is getting slower, I don't have a lot of files. So, I'm hoping it could solve the problem.

[Wirezfree]

@richtea

You raise a good point, however:
1. Read/Write issues with the current(new) generation of technology removes this issue.
   SSD are widely used now in data centres without issues where read/writes are many, many magnitudes greater than home users

2. Also the regular disks/spinners read/write sequentially, hence the need to keep everything aligned by defraging
   SSD's work completely different, they have controllers that work with the random data placement, so defraging is less of an issue.
 

[richtea]

Got an SSD?
Forget it for your own good.

[Wirezfree]

There are varying opinions on the need to defrag Linux in normal desktop day to day usage, and only required for heavy duty servers/databases etc...

But to Check & Defrag your root /

Code: [Select]

sudo e4defrag -c /
sudo e4defrag -v /

To check & defrag /home

Code: [Select]

sudo e4defrag -c /home
sudo e4defrag -v /home


More details on e4defrag

[then00b]

How can I defrag on this OS?