CST334 Week 3

Memory Management in Operating Systems

This week, we transitioned from discussing processes to delving into memory management in operating systems. The material was quite dense and abstract, but learning about earlier, less abstract systems provided a solid foundation for understanding more complex systems that enhance utilization and efficiency. 

We covered address spaces and memory segments, including code, stack, and heap segments, and how memory can be dynamically allocated. Additionally, we examined the concept of virtual memory, which creates the illusion of private, large address spaces for processes. This abstraction ensures isolation, efficiency, and protection of memory resources.

We also covered the process of translating virtual addresses to physical memory, a crucial aspect of memory management. Alongside this, we studied dynamic memory allocation techniques and various algorithms used to manage memory allocation effectively, such as first fit, best fit, and worst fit strategies. Understanding these algorithms helps in optimizing memory usage and preventing fragmentation.

This week have given me an appreciation for the sophisticated mechanisms that ensure the smooth and efficient operation of modern computing systems.