Memory Management
1. Introduction to Memory Management
● Definition: Memory management is the process of controlling and coordinating
computer memory, assigning portions known as blocks to various running
programs to optimize overall system performance.
● Goals: Efficient utilization of memory, protection, sharing, and allocation of
memory resources.
2. Memory Hierarchy
● Registers: Fastest but smallest memory storage within the CPU.
● Cache: Faster than main memory; used to temporarily store frequently accessed
data.
● Main Memory (RAM): Primary memory accessed directly by the CPU for
executing programs and storing data.
● Secondary Storage: Slower than main memory; includes hard drives, SSDs, etc.
3. Memory Allocation Strategies
● Contiguous Memory Allocation: Allocating contiguous blocks of memory to
processes.
● Single Partition Allocation: Only one process occupies the entire memory.
● Multiple Partition Allocation: Dividing memory into multiple partitions to
accommodate multiple processes.
● Non-contiguous Memory Allocation: Utilizing paging or segmentation to allocate
non-contiguous blocks to processes.
4. Memory Management Techniques
● Paging: Dividing memory into fixed-size blocks (pages) to store both processes
and data.
● Segmentation: Dividing memory based on logical parts (segments) to support
varying memory requirements of programs.
● Virtual Memory: Technique allowing processes to execute even if they don't
completely fit into physical memory, by using disk space as an extension of RAM.
5. Memory Allocation Algorithms
● First Fit: Allocates the first available block of memory that is large enough for the
process.
● Best Fit: Allocates the smallest block that meets the process's requirements.
● Worst Fit: Allocates the largest available block in memory.
1. Introduction to Memory Management
● Definition: Memory management is the process of controlling and coordinating
computer memory, assigning portions known as blocks to various running
programs to optimize overall system performance.
● Goals: Efficient utilization of memory, protection, sharing, and allocation of
memory resources.
2. Memory Hierarchy
● Registers: Fastest but smallest memory storage within the CPU.
● Cache: Faster than main memory; used to temporarily store frequently accessed
data.
● Main Memory (RAM): Primary memory accessed directly by the CPU for
executing programs and storing data.
● Secondary Storage: Slower than main memory; includes hard drives, SSDs, etc.
3. Memory Allocation Strategies
● Contiguous Memory Allocation: Allocating contiguous blocks of memory to
processes.
● Single Partition Allocation: Only one process occupies the entire memory.
● Multiple Partition Allocation: Dividing memory into multiple partitions to
accommodate multiple processes.
● Non-contiguous Memory Allocation: Utilizing paging or segmentation to allocate
non-contiguous blocks to processes.
4. Memory Management Techniques
● Paging: Dividing memory into fixed-size blocks (pages) to store both processes
and data.
● Segmentation: Dividing memory based on logical parts (segments) to support
varying memory requirements of programs.
● Virtual Memory: Technique allowing processes to execute even if they don't
completely fit into physical memory, by using disk space as an extension of RAM.
5. Memory Allocation Algorithms
● First Fit: Allocates the first available block of memory that is large enough for the
process.
● Best Fit: Allocates the smallest block that meets the process's requirements.
● Worst Fit: Allocates the largest available block in memory.
