Why main memory disk hierarchy is called virtual memory, what are the two motivations behind the development of virtual memory schemes and which one is still relevant
In virtual memory scheme, main disk is used such that it appears as part of main memory. In virtual memory schemes, physical address corresponds to address space used by program. Since this address doesn't belong to main memory, this is called virtual address space and the momery is called virtual memory.
Motivation for virtual memory -
1) Remove limited main memory constraint by providing large memory space.
2) User program doesn't have access to the data and memory used by kernel. It allows safe sharing of memory between different programs.
Today we have pretty large main memory and might not need virtual memory but we do not want user programs to interfere with kernel. Hence second is still relevant
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.