MEMORY PAGE Meaning and
Definition
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A memory page, in the context of computer hardware and software, refers to a fixed-sized block of information that is managed and processed by the computer's memory management unit (MMU). It serves as the fundamental unit of data storage and retrieval within the computer's memory system.
Typically, a memory page is a contiguous segment of memory organized into equal-sized blocks, typically 4 kilobytes (KB) or 8 KB in size, although this can vary depending on the architecture and operating system. Each page is assigned a unique address that allows the computer's hardware and software components to locate and access its contents efficiently.
The primary purpose of memory pages is to enable efficient memory management and virtual memory systems. Through virtual memory techniques, a computer can effectively manage the limited physical memory by dividing it into smaller, manageable portions known as pages. These pages can be rapidly swapped in and out of physical memory, allowing the computer to store more data than it can fit in RAM (random access memory). This also helps in maintaining the illusion of a larger, contiguous memory space for running applications.
Furthermore, memory pages play a vital role in facilitating data transfer between main memory and secondary storage devices, such as hard drives, as part of the paging mechanism. By breaking down the data into small, manageable units, the computer can efficiently transfer pages between primary and secondary memory, minimizing access delays and optimizing overall system performance.
Etymology of MEMORY PAGE
The term "memory page" is a compound word formed by combining two separate words: "memory" and "page".
"Memory" comes from the Latin word "memoria", which means "faculty of remembering, memory". It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "men-", meaning "think" or "mind".
"Page" has origins in the Old French word "page", which referred to a servant attending a knight or a squire. This word, in turn, can be traced back to the Latin word "pagina", meaning "a sheet of paper" or "a strip". The Latin word is believed to have derived from the earlier word "pango", meaning "fix" or "fasten".
When combined, "memory" and "page" form "memory page", which refers to a section of physical or virtual memory used by a computer to store data temporarily.
