OPERATING SYSTEM NOTES
3. MEMORY MANAGEMENT
Memory management is a key function of the Operating System (OS) that controls how main memory (RAM) is used by processes. It decides:
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Which process gets how much memory
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When a process gets memory
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When memory is freed and reused
Key Responsibilities of Memory Management:
| 🔢 | Function | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Tracks memory usage | Keeps record of each memory block — whether allocated or free. |
| 2️⃣ | Allocates memory | Gives memory to processes when they need it. |
| 3️⃣ | Manages swapping | Moves processes in and out of memory to/from disk during execution. |
| 4️⃣ | Deallocates memory | Frees up memory when a process finishes or no longer needs it. |
| 5️⃣ | Prevents conflicts | Ensures one process doesn't use memory assigned to another (memory protection). |
Why Memory Management Is Important:
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Ensures efficient use of memory.
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Supports multitasking by managing multiple processes.
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Helps avoid crashes or corruption due to memory conflicts.
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Balances speed vs. space (RAM is fast but limited; disk is slow but large).