In the context of virtual memory (a technique used by modern operating systems), how does the concept of 'physical RAM' relate to the larger 'virtual address space' that a running program perceives itself as having access to?

Q: What does this quiz question cover?

This free Computer Science Computer Fundamentals Primary Memory (RAM/ROM) question is part of Quiz 3. It is for focused practice, not a past paper.

Q: How do I see the correct answer?

Click an option to reveal the solution, or use Reveal solution. The answer and explanation then appear under the options.

Q: Can I practise the full set?

Yes. Use Practice this set to attempt Quiz 3 without seeing answers. After you finish, Quizst scores the set and shows solutions.

Q: Where can I find more questions like this?

Use Previous and Next, the related Primary Memory (RAM/ROM) questions below, or go back to the question list for the rest of the set.

Question

In the context of virtual memory (a technique used by modern operating systems), how does the concept of 'physical RAM' relate to the larger 'virtual address space' that a running program perceives itself as having access to?

Accepted Answer

Virtual memory is a sophisticated technique where the operating system, working together with CPU hardware support, creates an illusion for each individual running program that it has its own large, seemingly contiguous chunk of memory address space to work with -- often appearing much larger than the actual amount of physical RAM installed in the computer. Behind the scenes, the OS maintains mapping tables that translate this program's virtual addresses into the real, physical RAM locations where the data actually resides -- and when physical RAM runs low, the OS can even temporarily move some less-currently-needed data out to a reserved area of secondary storage (sometimes called a 'page file' or 'swap space'), extending the illusion of available memory beyond what physical RAM alone could provide, though accessing data that has been moved out to secondary storage this way is significantly slower than accessing data still resident in actual physical RAM.

Computer Science :: Computer Fundamentals :: Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

More questions from Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

Frequently asked questions

Computer Science :: Computer Fundamentals :: Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

More questions from Primary Memory (RAM/ROM)

Frequently asked questions