What is the purpose of the deadline I/O scheduler?

The deadline I/O scheduler is designed to optimize I/O performance, particularly for workloads that require timely access to data, like database operations. Its main focus is to reduce I/O latency, ensuring that requests are executed within a specified time frame. By doing so, it improves the responsiveness of applications that depend heavily on quick data retrieval and processing.

In the context of database I/O, reducing latency is critical because delays can have a cascading effect on query execution times and overall system performance. The deadline scheduler achieves this by setting deadlines for I/O requests and managing them so that urgent requests are prioritized, thus increasing I/O throughput for applications that demand fast data access.

This function aligns closely with the goal of improving database operations, making the correct answer particularly relevant when considering systems where database performance is a high priority.