May 31, 2026Ajay Dhangar

Disk Scheduling

Disk scheduling is the process used by an operating system to decide the order in which disk I/O requests are serviced. Since the movement of the disk's read/write head takes time, efficient scheduling algorithms aim to reduce seek time, improve performance, and increase disk throughput.

1. First Come First Serve (FCFS)

FCFS services disk requests in the exact order they arrive.

1.1 How it Works

Requests are placed in a queue.
The disk head processes them one by one in arrival order.

1.2 Advantages

Simple to implement.
Fair, as requests are handled in arrival order.

1.3 Disadvantages

Can result in large head movements.
Poor overall seek time and performance.

1.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))

path = [pos]
seek = 0

cur = pos

for i in req:
    seek += abs(i-cur)
    cur = i
    path.append(i)

print("\nFCFS RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000

Output:

FCFS RW head path: 100 -> 83 -> 92 -> 1000 -> 278 -> 7803 -> 25 -> 78 -> 30 -> 786 -> 2
Total seek time: 18600

2. Shortest Seek Time First (SSTF)

SSTF selects the request closest to the current head position.

2.1 How it Works

Calculate the distance between the current head position and all pending requests.
Service the nearest request first.
Repeat until all requests are completed.

2.2 Advantages

Reduces total seek time.
Better performance than FCFS.

2.3 Disadvantages

Requests far from the current head position may experience starvation.
Slightly more complex to implement.

2.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))

path = [pos]
seek = 0

cur = pos

while req:
    x = min(req, key=lambda i: abs(i-cur))
    seek += abs(x-cur)
    cur = x
    path.append(x)
    req.remove(x)

print("\nSSTF RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000

Output:

SSTF RW head path: 100 -> 92 -> 83 -> 78 -> 30 -> 25 -> 2 -> 278 -> 786 -> 1000 -> 7803
Total seek time: 7899

3. SCAN

SCAN moves the disk head in one direction, servicing all requests along the way, and then reverses direction.

3.1 How it Works

The head moves toward one end of the disk.
Services every request encountered.
Upon reaching the end, it reverses and services requests in the opposite direction.

3.2 Advantages

Provides good throughput.
Reduces starvation compared to SSTF.
More predictable waiting times.

3.3 Disadvantages

Requests near the ends may wait longer.
The head may travel to the disk boundary even when no requests exist there.

3.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))
d = input("Enter direction (l/r): ").strip().lower()

l = sorted([i for i in req if i < pos])
r = sorted([i for i in req if i >= pos])

path = [pos]
seek = 0
cur = pos

if d == "l":
    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    seek += abs(cur-0)
    cur = 0
    path.append(0)

    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

else:
    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    seek += abs(cur-(tot-1))
    cur = tot-1
    path.append(tot-1)

    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

print("\nSCAN RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000
Enter direction (l/r): r

Output:

SCAN RW head path: 100 -> 278 -> 786 -> 1000 -> 7803 -> 7999 -> 92 -> 83 -> 78 -> 30 -> 25 -> 2
Total seek time: 15896

4. Circular SCAN (C-SCAN)

C-SCAN services requests in only one direction.

4.1 How it Works

The head moves in a single direction, servicing requests.
After reaching the end of the disk, it immediately returns to the beginning without servicing requests during the return trip.
The process then repeats.

4.2 Advantages

Provides more uniform waiting times.
Fairer than SCAN for all disk locations.

4.3 Disadvantages

Additional movement is required for the return jump.
Slightly less efficient than SCAN in some cases.

4.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))
d = input("Enter direction (l/r): ").strip().lower()

l = sorted([i for i in req if i < pos])
r = sorted([i for i in req if i >= pos])

path = [pos]
seek = 0
cur = pos

if d == "l":
    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    seek += abs(cur-0)
    cur = 0
    path.append(0)

    seek += abs((tot-1)-cur)
    cur = tot-1
    path.append(tot-1)

    for i in reversed(r):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

else:
    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    seek += abs((tot-1)-cur)
    cur = tot-1
    path.append(tot-1)

    seek += abs(cur-0)
    cur = 0
    path.append(0)

    for i in l:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

print("\nCSCAN RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000
Enter direction (l/r): r

Output:

CSCAN RW head path: 100 -> 278 -> 786 -> 1000 -> 7803 -> 7999 -> 0 -> 2 -> 25 -> 30 -> 78 -> 83 -> 92
Total seek time: 15990

5. LOOK

LOOK is an optimized version of SCAN.

5.1 How it Works

The head moves in one direction and services requests.
Instead of going all the way to the disk end, it reverses when the last request in that direction has been serviced.

5.2 Advantages

Reduces unnecessary head movement.
More efficient than SCAN.

5.3 Disadvantages

Slightly more complex than FCFS and SSTF.
Waiting times may still vary.

5.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))
d = input("Enter direction (l/r): ").strip().lower()

l = sorted([i for i in req if i < pos])
r = sorted([i for i in req if i >= pos])

path = [pos]
seek = 0
cur = pos

if d == "l":
    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

else:
    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

print("\nLOOK RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000
Enter direction (l/r): r

Output:

LOOK RW head path: 100 -> 278 -> 786 -> 1000 -> 7803 -> 92 -> 83 -> 78 -> 30 -> 25 -> 2
Total seek time: 15504

6. Circular LOOK (C-LOOK)

C-LOOK is an optimized version of C-SCAN.

6.1 How it Works

The head services requests in one direction only.
After reaching the last request in that direction, it jumps directly to the first pending request at the opposite end.
Servicing then continues in the same direction.

6.2 Advantages

Eliminates unnecessary travel to disk boundaries.
Provides uniform waiting times.
More efficient than C-SCAN.

6.3 Disadvantages

The jump between the last and first request still adds movement.
Slightly more complex to implement.

6.4 Python Implementation

req = list(map(int, input("Enter request order: ").split()))
pos = int(input("Enter initial RW head position: "))
tot = int(input("Enter total number of tracks: "))
d = input("Enter direction (l/r): ").strip().lower()

l = sorted([i for i in req if i < pos])
r = sorted([i for i in req if i >= pos])

path = [pos]
seek = 0
cur = pos

if d == "l":
    for i in reversed(l):
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    if r:
        seek += abs(cur-r[-1])
        cur = r[-1]
        path.append(cur)

        for i in reversed(r[:-1]):
            seek += abs(i-cur)
            cur = i
            path.append(i)

else:
    for i in r:
        seek += abs(i-cur)
        cur = i
        path.append(i)

    if l:
        seek += abs(cur-l[0])
        cur = l[0]
        path.append(cur)

        for i in l[1:]:
            seek += abs(i-cur)
            cur = i
            path.append(i)

print("\nCLOOK RW head path: ", end="")
print(" -> ".join(map(str, path)))
print("Total seek time:", seek)

Example:

Input:

Enter request order: 83 92 1000 278 7803 25 78 30 786 2
Enter initial RW head position: 100
Enter total number of tracks: 8000
Enter direction (l/r): r

Output:

CLOOK RW head path: 100 -> 278 -> 786 -> 1000 -> 7803 -> 2 -> 25 -> 30 -> 78 -> 83 -> 92
Total seek time: 15594

7. Summary

Algorithm	Main Idea	Starvation	Efficiency
FCFS	Service requests in arrival order	No	Low
SSTF	Service nearest request first	Possible	High
SCAN	Move back and forth like an elevator	Rare	High
C-SCAN	Service in one direction only	No	High
LOOK	SCAN without going to disk ends	Rare	Very High
C-LOOK	C-SCAN without going to disk ends	No	Very High

Among these algorithms, LOOK and C-LOOK are generally preferred because they reduce unnecessary head movement while maintaining good performance and fairness.

Finished reading? Mark this topic as complete.

1. First Come First Serve (FCFS)​

1.1 How it Works​

1.2 Advantages​

1.3 Disadvantages​

1.4 Python Implementation​

2. Shortest Seek Time First (SSTF)​

2.1 How it Works​

2.2 Advantages​

2.3 Disadvantages​

2.4 Python Implementation​

3. SCAN​

3.1 How it Works​

3.2 Advantages​

3.3 Disadvantages​

3.4 Python Implementation​

4. Circular SCAN (C-SCAN)​

4.1 How it Works​

4.2 Advantages​

4.3 Disadvantages​

4.4 Python Implementation​

5. LOOK​

5.1 How it Works​

5.2 Advantages​

5.3 Disadvantages​

5.4 Python Implementation​

6. Circular LOOK (C-LOOK)​

6.1 How it Works​

6.2 Advantages​

6.3 Disadvantages​

6.4 Python Implementation​

7. Summary​

1. First Come First Serve (FCFS)

1.1 How it Works

1.2 Advantages

1.3 Disadvantages

1.4 Python Implementation

2. Shortest Seek Time First (SSTF)

2.1 How it Works

2.2 Advantages

2.3 Disadvantages

2.4 Python Implementation

3. SCAN

3.1 How it Works

3.2 Advantages

3.3 Disadvantages

3.4 Python Implementation

4. Circular SCAN (C-SCAN)

4.1 How it Works

4.2 Advantages

4.3 Disadvantages

4.4 Python Implementation

5. LOOK

5.1 How it Works

5.2 Advantages

5.3 Disadvantages

5.4 Python Implementation

6. Circular LOOK (C-LOOK)

6.1 How it Works

6.2 Advantages

6.3 Disadvantages

6.4 Python Implementation

7. Summary