Week 28:CST 334 Week 3: Memory Virtualization

This week in CST 334, I was introduced to memory virtualization, a core concept in modern operating systems. I learned that memory virtualization allows each process to work within its own separate address space, which improves both security and flexibility. The goal of a virtual memory (VM) system is to provide a transparent and efficient way for processes to use memory, even if physical memory is limited. This approach lets each process act as if it has access to the full memory space independently. Techniques like base and bounds address translation help the operating system manage this by mapping virtual addresses to physical addresses accurately. 

I also explored segmentation, which supports efficient memory use by organizing memory into segments, reducing wasted space between them. Segmentation even enables code sharing across multiple programs when code is placed in separate segments. However, segmentation also comes with challenges, like memory fragmentation and limited flexibility for large, sparse address spaces, which require additional solutions. This week’s lessons gave me insight into the balance between memory efficiency and the complexities of managing it.