GARBAGE COLLECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Garbage collection refers to an automatic process in computer programming and memory management systems that handles the deallocation of dynamically allocated memory. It is a form of memory management that helps free up memory space that is no longer in use, ensuring efficient utilization of computer resources.
When a program dynamically allocates memory, it creates objects or data structures which are stored in the computer's memory. Over time, as the program executes, some of these objects become inaccessible or no longer needed. Garbage collection identifies these unused objects and deallocates the memory they occupy, marking it as available for future use. This process eliminates the need for manual memory management, where developers manually release memory after it is no longer needed.
Garbage collection involves three main steps: detection, marking, and recycling. First, the garbage collector scans the memory to detect objects that are no longer reachable from the program. It marks those objects as garbage. Then, it reclaims the memory occupied by these objects, making it available for future allocations. Finally, the garbage collector returns the freed memory to the memory pool for later use.
By automating the memory management process, garbage collection relieves programmers from the burden of manually allocating and deallocating memory, reducing the likelihood of memory leaks and other memory-related errors. It contributes to the overall stability, performance, and reliability of software systems, simplifying the development process and enhancing the programmer's productivity.
Common Misspellings for GARBAGE COLLECTION
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Etymology of GARBAGE COLLECTION
The word "garbage collection" is a technical term in computer science, referring to an automatic memory management process within programming languages. The etymology of "garbage collection" relates more to the concept of "garbage" rather than the specific term itself.
The term "garbage" dates back to the 15th century, derived from the Middle English word "garbage" or "garbelage", which meant waste or offal, specifically referring to the waste parts of butchered animals. This word originated from the Old French word "garbe", meaning "sheaf" or "bundle".
In the context of computing, the term "garbage" is metaphorically used to refer to memory blocks that are no longer needed or used by programs but still occupy memory space.
Similar spelling word for GARBAGE COLLECTION
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