Virtual memory

Question 1

What is virtual memory?

Answer 1

it is an allocated area of secondary storage device which allows large programs to be run when there is insufficient memory

Question 2

How does virtual memory work?

Answer 2

uses backing store as additional memory for temporary storage

swaps pages using paging between RAM and backing store to make space in RAM for pages needed

holds part of the program not currently in use

Question 3

What problems arise with virtual memory?

Answer 3

disk threshing -
when the computer tends to freeze when due to pages being swapped to frequently between main memory and the hard disk

Question 4

How does virtual memory use the process of paging/swapping?

Answer 4

moving data between RAM and virtual memory

removes data that isnt needed in RAM and replaces it with one that is

Question 5

Advantages

Answer 5

inexpensive - does not require any physical setting up

supports multi-tasking - allows users to utilize more of RAM than hardware permits. goes beyond physical limits and can help processes that demands more memory than system can manage

Question 6

Disadvantages

Answer 6

RAM has higher speeds than virtual memoru when operated on systems internal storage

due to page swapping, applications take longer to execute. disk threshing