a method and article of manufacture , implementing the method , allocates space for a dataset . the dataset has an initial area and zero or more additional allocated areas to provide space for storing the dataset . the size of a new additional area is determined . the new additional area is associated with a new area number , and the size of the new additional area is based on the new area number . additional space for the dataset is allocated based on the size of the new additional area . alternately , an apparatus stores a dataset . a computer has a data storage device connected thereto . the data storage device has a plurality of areas for storing a dataset . the plurality of areas comprises an initial area having an initial area size and a plurality of additional areas having an additional area size , wherein the additional area size varies . in one embodiment , the additional area size monotonically increases .