Disk Scheduling: LOOK and CLOOK Algorithms

1. Introduction

Disk scheduling is the process of arranging the order in which read/write operations are carried out on a computer’s hard disk. In modern computer systems, hard disks have a large storage capacity, and the data is stored in tracks and sectors.

The disk scheduling algorithms aim to optimize the use of the hard disk by reducing the seek time and rotational latency, which ultimately results in improved performance and efficiency of the system.

In this tutorial, we’ll discuss two disk scheduling algorithms – LOOK and CLOOK – and compare their performance and efficiency.

2. LOOK Algorithm

The LOOK algorithm is a disk scheduling algorithm that scans the disk from the current position of the disk arm to the last request in one direction and then moves back to the first request in the opposite direction.

The LOOK algorithm is designed to reduce the seek time by minimizing the distance the disk arm has to travel to service a request. The algorithm schedules the requests in such a way that the disk arm moves continuously in one direction without any backtracking, which indirectly improves performance by maximizing throughput and reducing the total time required to access and retrieve data from the disk.

2.1. Advantages and Disadvantages of LOOK Algorithm

The LOOK algorithm is a simple and efficient algorithm that can handle high loads of requests. It is also a fair algorithm that ensures that no request is starved, i.e., no request waits indefinitely for service.

However, the LOOK algorithm can cause disk arm thrashing, where the disk arm moves rapidly back and forth between the innermost and outermost tracks of the disk, resulting in increased access time and reduced performance.

2.2. Pseudocode of LOOK Algorithm

The pseudocode of the LOOK algorithm is as follows:

algorithm LookDiskScheduling(queue, initial_position, direction):
    // INPUT
    //    queue = the list of disk access requests
    //    initial_position = the initial position of the disk arm
    //    direction = the initial direction of the disk arm ("right" for outward, "left" for inward)
    // OUTPUT
    //    The ordered scheduling of disk requests based on the LOOK algorithm

    Sort(queue)  // Sort the queue in ascending order

    while queue is not empty:
        if direction = "right":
            current_position <- initial_position
            
            while current_position <= maximum_position:
                for request in queue:
                    if request >= current_position:
                        process_request(request)
                        current_position <- request
                        remove request from queue
                        break
                
                current_position <- current_position + 1
            
            direction <- "left"  // Change direction to left
        
        if direction = "left":
            current_position <- initial_position
            
            while current_position >= minimum_position:
                for request in reversed(queue):
                    if request <= current_position:
                        process_request(request)
                        current_position <- request
                        remove request from queue
                        break
                
                current_position <- current_position - 1
            
            direction <- "right"  // Change direction to right

Let’s consider an example of a disk with 251 tracks and a queue of disk access requests in the following order: 240, 94, 179, 51, 118, 15, 137,29 75. The current position of the Read/Write head (C) is at track 55 and moving in the Right direction. The LOOK algorithm can be illustrated as shown in the below diagram:

The total head movement () can be calculated as follows:

   

   

   

3. CLOOK Algorithm

The CLOOK algorithm (circular LOOK) is a disk scheduling algorithm similar to the LOOK algorithm but differs in how it handles the requests. The CLOOK algorithm scans the disk in one direction only, from the current position of the disk arm to the last request in that direction, and then starts again from the first request in that direction.

The CLOOK algorithm reduces the seek time and rotational latency by scheduling the requests in a circular manner, where the disk arm moves from the outermost track to the innermost track and then back to the outermost track.

3.1. Advantages and Disadvantages of CLOOK Algorithm

The CLOOK algorithm is a more efficient algorithm than the LOOK algorithm and outperforms all other disk scheduling algorithms. However, it is not a fair algorithm and can cause some requests to starve. This is because the algorithm only services requests in one direction, and any request in the opposite direction is ignored.

3.2. Pseudocode of CLOOK Algorithm

The pseudocode of the CLOOK algorithm is as follows:

algorithm CLookScheduling(queue, initial_position, direction):
    // INPUT
    //    queue = a list of disk requests
    //    initial_position = the starting position of the disk head
    //    direction = the initial direction of disk head movement ("right" or "left")
    // OUTPUT
    //    The disk requests are processed in the CLOOK order

    Sort(queue)  // Sort the queue in ascending order

    while queue is not empty:
        if direction = "right":
            current_position <- initial_position
            
            while current_position <= maximum_position:
                for request in queue:
                    if request >= current_position:
                        process_request(request)
                        current_position <- request
                        remove request from queue
                        break
                current_position <- current_position + 1
            
            initial_position <- minimum_position  // Start from the first position
        
        if direction = "left":
            current_position <- initial_position
            
            while current_position >= minimum_position:
                for request in reversed(queue):
                    if request <= current_position:
                        process_request(request)
                        current_position <- request
                        remove request from queue
                        break
                current_position <- current_position - 1
            
            initial_position <- maximum_position  // Start from the maximum (last) position

Let’s illustrate the LOOK algorithm using the example we considered in subsection 2.2:

The total head movement () can be calculated as follows:

   

   

   

4. Comparison Between LOOK and CLOOK Algorithms

Criteria

LOOK Algorithm

CLOOK Algorithm

Scan direction

Both directions (outward and inward)

One direction (outward only)

Request handling

Services requests in both directions

Services requests in one direction only

Starvation

No request is starved

Requests in the opposite direction may starve

Efficiency

Handling request is not as efficient as in CLOOK

More efficient in handling request as compared to LOOK

Arm Movement

Minimizes head movement

Requires more head movement

Time

Better throughput and low variance in response time

Uniform wait and response time

Performance

Lower Performance compared to CLOOK

Better Performance compared to LOOK

Best suited for

Systems that require fairness and service all requests. Also suitable for systems with a high load of requests.

Systems that require high performance and can tolerate some requests starving. Not suitable for heavy loads

Overall, the LOOK algorithm is fairer to all requests, while the CLOOK algorithm is better suited for systems that require high performance.

5. Conclusion

In this article, we discussed two disk scheduling algorithms – LOOK and CLOOK, comparing their performance and efficiency.

Both algorithms have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best algorithm should be chosen based on the needs of the system. Hence, the choice between the LOOK and CLOOK algorithms depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the system.