To store data and applications on hard disk, users should partition it at first.
Disk partitioning means that users use the partition editor to divide a hard disk into several logical parts.
After that, they can store different directories and files into different partitions.
The more partitions, the more different storage places.
Thus, users can store files into different partitions.
But, users may encounter some unexpected troubles and difficulties if they divide their hard disk into many partitions.
Space management, access permissions and directory searching ways depend on the file system saved on the partition.
Disk partitions can be seen as a simple technique for logical volume management predecessor.
Definition
Before installing an operating system and software, users need toformat the hard disk.
And then, they can use the hard disk to store all kinds of information.
Many people may think that they need to divide a hard disk into several partitions.
In fact, users can create only one partition using all or part of the hard disk space.
Thus, they can boot the system from this hard disk.
But the master boot record can contain up to 4 partitions records.
On aGPTdisk, all partitions are primary partitions.
Besides, the partition number can reach up to 128.
This postMBR vs. GPT Guide: Whats The Difference and Which One Is Bettershows you more details.
Besides, only operating systems installed on non-DOS partition can manage and use this storage area.
It provides master boot program to check the correctness of the hard disk partition and determine the active partition.
Extended Partition
The concept of extended partition is a little more complicated.
Actually, an extended partition can be divided into multiple logical partitions.
Thus, users are allowed to create multiple partitions in hard disk.
Related article:Primary Partition vs.
Logical Drive: Their Exact Features.
