Memory Management

File Management Paper

James Armstrong

POS 355

July 31, 2013

Gary Smith

Memory Management Requirements

Introduction

A key resource that the operation system needs to manage is memory. Memory is basically a space in which a program can execute and run. The easiest way to understand this is to apply it to real life situations. If you had a job that required the use of a desk and electronics but was not provided with an office to use them, then you would not be able to work. Programs on a computer work the same way, they need their own space to work in as well. The big question here is: how does the operation system make sure that a process can only access its own memory? To answer this question we need to first have a better understanding of what the memory management requirements in an operating system are. To manage memory, a system needs to have the specific hardware, software, and process in which to do so.

Hardware and Software

Before any programs or applications can process, a computer is going to need a few software and hardware requirements. First off, the main guy running the whole memory management show is going to be the operating system (OS) which is pretty much the computers brain (i.e. Linux, Windows, MAC OS). Next, the operating system needs physical hardware in which to store and allow programs to run in (i.e. RAM, memory caches, and solid state drives). Finally, the operating system is going to need a little bit of help from the CPU to help manage all the different processes trying to run at one time.

Process

If you look at memory from a physical standpoint, what you have is a large space of operating area where you need to fit programs in so that they can continue to function. What the operating system needs to do is allocate a chunk of this physical space for the program to operate in, and to also not accidently put programs in the same operating space as another.

If you have two processes trying to run...