What does the File Allocation Table (FAT) do?

The File Allocation Table (FAT) plays a critical role in managing data on storage devices, specifically by providing a structured way to keep track of how files are stored on disks. It effectively acts as a directory for the entire file system, allowing the operating system to find and retrieve files quickly.

When a file is saved to a disk, the FAT keeps a record of which clusters (the smallest unit of disk space allocation) are occupied by that file. This organization is essential because it allows the system to manage space efficiently, determine when space is available for new files, and locate existing files by tracing the chain of clusters back to the beginning of the file.

This function of tracking the locations of files and their segments directly aligns with the concept of a table of contents. Just as a book's table of contents guides a reader to specific chapters or sections, the FAT guides the operating system in navigating the stored data on the disk. Thus, this makes the identification of the correct answer clear.