[NTLUG:Discuss] Is there a disk defragmenter for Linux

[Rev. wRy]

On Sat, 2002-12-21 at 16:03, Steve Baker wrote:
> Kipton Moravec wrote:
> > Coming from a MS background, I always run the disk defragmenter once a week.
> > 
> > Is there one for Linux?  What should I look for?  Is it needed?
> 
> No - only crappy OS's need to have their disks defragged.

Can you expand on this for a moment?  It's a critical difference between M$ 
and Linux, and I've yet to stumble across anything other than one line answers
to the question that say any more than what you've written.  Yes, I've looked
at the LDP howto on filesystems.  I've googled (although perhaps on the wrong
subjects).  I've taken various classes on *nix, but I've yet to see this
explained.

So how exactly does *nix write data to a hard drive that eliminates the need 
for a defrag?  And why is there fsck if there is no need for a defrag?

Obviously Linux requires a different way of thinking than does M$, but I don't see how 
saying "Crap OS'es need a defrag, Linux doesn't" explains what's going on under the
hood, and often times with Linux, knowing what goes on under the hood is half the battle
won.


Ry
(sorry if that sounded flamey Steve, wasn't meant to be.)