OPERATING SYSTEMS

Today, we embark on a journey to explore the fascinating world of memory virtualization, a crucial aspect of modern operating systems. In this series of blog posts, we will dive deep into the basics of memory management, starting with an overview of what main memory (RAM) contains and how it evolves during the system's boot-up process.  Demystifying Memory Management in Operating Systems: A Deep Dive Unveiling the Symphony of Memory:   A Comprehensive Exploration of Operating System Memory Management Introduction: In commemorating the first anniversary of this blog, let us embark on a profound journey into the heart of operating systems—specifically, the intricate realm of memory management. From the initial pulsating moments of system boot-up to the finely tuned choreography between logical and physical addresses, our celebration involves unraveling the layers that define how an operating system orchestrates and manages the symphony of memory. This in-depth exploration is gea...

Introduction: The virtual address space of a process is a crucial concept in operating systems, playing a pivotal role in memory management and system functionality. In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies of the address space, dissecting its two main components—the user part and the kernel code/data. This comprehensive analysis will shed light on the purpose, organization, and challenges associated with the virtual address space. The Dichotomy of Address Space: The address space of a process is bifurcated into two distinct realms—the user part and the kernel code/data. In a 32-bit x86 system, the user part encompasses addresses 0-3GB, housing the code and data specific to the process. Meanwhile, addresses 3-4GB are reserved for the kernel. Each process maintains a page table, containing mappings for both user and kernel pages. Notably, kernel page table entries are shared among all processes, while user page table entries are unique to each process. Kernel Inclusion in Ever...

Introduction: Memory allocation is a crucial aspect of programming, especially in languages like C where developers have direct control over memory management. In this blog post, we will explore the two types of memory in a C program – stack memory and heap memory. We'll delve into the intricacies of allocating and deallocating memory, common errors, and best practices. Let's embark on a journey through the Memory API and types of memory in C. Stack Memory: In C, stack memory is automatically managed by the compiler, making it convenient for programmers. When you declare a variable within a function, like the integer 'x' in the function 'func()', the compiler handles memory allocation and deallocation. However, it's essential to note that stack memory is short-lived, and data stored here won't persist beyond the function call. Heap Memory: On the other hand, heap memory requires explicit management by the programmer. While this provides greater flexibili...

Introduction: Virtual memory stands as a cornerstone in the realm of computer science, a technique that has revolutionized the way processes are executed and memory is managed. In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of virtual memory, examining how it enables the execution of processes that may not entirely reside in the physical memory. This paradigm shift not only allows for the seamless execution of large programs but also opens up avenues for enhanced error handling, resource optimization, and improved overall system performance. Understanding Virtual Memory: At its core, virtual memory is a paradigm that separates user logical memory from physical memory. This separation becomes a game-changer, especially in scenarios where the program's size exceeds the constraints of the available physical memory. The magic lies in the ability to provide a significantly larger virtual memory space for programmers while operating within the confines of a smaller physical memory foot...