1.5.5

Memory & Process Management

Test yourself on Memory & Process Management

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Memory and Process Management

As with all hardware in the computer, the memory (RAM) and central processing unit (CPU) must be managed by a part of the operating system.

Purpose of memory manager

Purpose of memory manager

The memory manager controls the allocation of random access memory (RAM) to each running process.
If the memory manager fails to manage memory well, then the computer will slow down and might crash.
The memory manager moves data from secondary storage into RAM.
- The data can be removed from RAM when no longer needed.

Purpose of process manager

Purpose of process manager

Modern operating systems allow users to run multiple programs at once.
In reality, a CPU can only execute one process at a time. So the CPU must switch between processes so quickly that it seems that they are running simultaneously.

Memory allocation

Memory allocation

The Operating System assigns memory in RAM when an application/process starts.
If an application/process requires more memory, the OS will assign it more memory. The OS must be careful not to overwrite memory allocated to any other applications/processes running.

Multitasking

Multitasking

Modern operating systems allow multiple applications to run at once. This is known as multitasking.
For this to work, the operating system must manage how memory and CPU time is allocated to each running process.

Multitasking (cont.)

Multitasking (cont.)

If there is only one CPU, the tasks of each different application/process are managed by the OS to appear as if multiple are running at the same time.
- It does that by quickly swapping between the instructions of the different applications/processes running.
The OS assigns processes/applications to each core so that more than one set of instructions is being executed at the same time.

1

Computer Systems

1.1

Systems Architecture

1.1.1Fetch-Execute Cycle 1.1.2Common CPU Components & Their Function 1.1.3Von Neumann Architecture 1.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance 1.1.5Embedded Systems 1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Von Neumann Architecture 1.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Embedded vs General

1.2

Memory & Storage

1.2.1Types of Memory 1.2.2Flash Memory 1.2.3Properties of Flash Memory 1.2.4Running Out of Memory 1.2.5Virtual Memory 1.2.6Units of Capacity 1.2.7Calculating Capacity Requirements 1.2.8Solid State Storage 1.2.9Properties of Solid State Media 1.2.10Magnetic Storage 1.2.11Properties of Magnetic Media 1.2.12Examples of Magnetic Storage 1.2.13Optical Storage 1.2.14Properties of Optical Media 1.2.15Examples of Optical Storage 1.2.16Types of Optical Disk 1.2.17Number Bases 1.2.18Converting Number Bases 1.2.19Hexadecimal 1.2.20Using Hexadecimal 1.2.21Converting Denary & Hexadecimal 1.2.22Binary Addition 1.2.23Binary Shifts 1.2.24Representing Text 1.2.25ASCII & Unicode 1.2.26Representing Images 1.2.27Converting Binary & Images 1.2.28Representing Sound 1.2.29Data Compression 1.2.30Grade 9 - Storage 1.2.31Exam-Style Questions - Primary Memory 1.2.32Exam-Style Questions - Storage 1.2.33Exam-Style Questions - Data Conversions 1.2.34Diagnostic Misconceptions - RAM vs ROM 1.2.35Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits, Nibbles & Bytes 1.2.36Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits Required to Store 1.2.37End of Topic Test - Computer Systems 1.2.38End of Topic Test - Representation

1.3

Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4

Network Security

1.4.1Forms of Attack 1.4.2Penetration Testing 1.4.3Malware 1.4.4How Malware Spreads 1.4.5Social Engineering 1.4.6Phishing 1.4.7Cracking Passwords 1.4.8Denial of Service Attacks 1.4.9Data Interception 1.4.10Methods of Data Interception 1.4.11SQL Injection 1.4.12Network Administration 1.4.13Network Forensics 1.4.14Protecting Against Malware 1.4.15Firewalls 1.4.16User Access Levels 1.4.17Passwords 1.4.18Encryption 1.4.19End of Topic Test - Networks

1.5

Systems Software

1.5.1System Software 1.5.2Utility Software 1.5.3Operating Systems 1.5.4User Interfaces 1.5.5Memory & Process Management 1.5.6File Management 1.5.7Device Management 1.5.8User Management 1.5.9Encryption Software 1.5.10Defragmentation Software 1.5.11Data Compression Software 1.5.12Backup Software

1.6

Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

2

Computational Thinking, Algorithms & Programming

2.1

Algorithms

2.1.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction 2.1.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition 2.1.3Algorithmic Thinking 2.1.4Pseudocode 2.1.5Flowchart Diagrams 2.1.6Interpreting Algorithms 2.1.7Correcting Algorithms 2.1.8Completing Algorithms 2.1.9Search Algorithms 2.1.10Binary Search 2.1.11Linear Search 2.1.12Overview of Sort Algorithms 2.1.13Bubble Sort 2.1.14Merge Sort 2.1.15Insertion Sort 2.1.16Exam-Style Questions - Sorting Algorithms

2.2

Programming Fundamentals

2.3

Producing Robust Programs

2.3.1Defensive Design 2.3.2Validation & Sanitisation 2.3.3Authentication & Contingencies 2.3.4Maintainability 2.3.5Purpose of Testing 2.3.6Types of Testing 2.3.7Test Plans 2.3.8Types of Errors 2.3.9End of Topic Test - Programming 2.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Testing

2.4

Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems 2.4.2Logic Circuits 2.4.3Boolean Logic 2.4.4Boolean Operators 2.4.5Grade 9 - Logic

2.5

Programming Languages & IDEs

2.5.1High-Level vs Low-Level Languages 2.5.2Translation - Compliers & Interpreter 2.5.3Translation - Assemblers 2.5.4Integrated Development Environments 2.5.5Exam-Style Questions - Translation

Jump to other topics

1

Computer Systems

1.1

Systems Architecture

1.1.1Fetch-Execute Cycle 1.1.2Common CPU Components & Their Function 1.1.3Von Neumann Architecture 1.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance 1.1.5Embedded Systems 1.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Von Neumann Architecture 1.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Embedded vs General

1.2

Memory & Storage

1.2.1Types of Memory 1.2.2Flash Memory 1.2.3Properties of Flash Memory 1.2.4Running Out of Memory 1.2.5Virtual Memory 1.2.6Units of Capacity 1.2.7Calculating Capacity Requirements 1.2.8Solid State Storage 1.2.9Properties of Solid State Media 1.2.10Magnetic Storage 1.2.11Properties of Magnetic Media 1.2.12Examples of Magnetic Storage 1.2.13Optical Storage 1.2.14Properties of Optical Media 1.2.15Examples of Optical Storage 1.2.16Types of Optical Disk 1.2.17Number Bases 1.2.18Converting Number Bases 1.2.19Hexadecimal 1.2.20Using Hexadecimal 1.2.21Converting Denary & Hexadecimal 1.2.22Binary Addition 1.2.23Binary Shifts 1.2.24Representing Text 1.2.25ASCII & Unicode 1.2.26Representing Images 1.2.27Converting Binary & Images 1.2.28Representing Sound 1.2.29Data Compression 1.2.30Grade 9 - Storage 1.2.31Exam-Style Questions - Primary Memory 1.2.32Exam-Style Questions - Storage 1.2.33Exam-Style Questions - Data Conversions 1.2.34Diagnostic Misconceptions - RAM vs ROM 1.2.35Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits, Nibbles & Bytes 1.2.36Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bits Required to Store 1.2.37End of Topic Test - Computer Systems 1.2.38End of Topic Test - Representation

1.3

Computer Networks, Connections & Protocols

1.4

Network Security

1.4.1Forms of Attack 1.4.2Penetration Testing 1.4.3Malware 1.4.4How Malware Spreads 1.4.5Social Engineering 1.4.6Phishing 1.4.7Cracking Passwords 1.4.8Denial of Service Attacks 1.4.9Data Interception 1.4.10Methods of Data Interception 1.4.11SQL Injection 1.4.12Network Administration 1.4.13Network Forensics 1.4.14Protecting Against Malware 1.4.15Firewalls 1.4.16User Access Levels 1.4.17Passwords 1.4.18Encryption 1.4.19End of Topic Test - Networks

1.5

Systems Software

1.5.1System Software 1.5.2Utility Software 1.5.3Operating Systems 1.5.4User Interfaces 1.5.5Memory & Process Management 1.5.6File Management 1.5.7Device Management 1.5.8User Management 1.5.9Encryption Software 1.5.10Defragmentation Software 1.5.11Data Compression Software 1.5.12Backup Software

1.6

Ethical, Legal, Cultural & Environmental Concern

2

Computational Thinking, Algorithms & Programming

2.1

Algorithms

2.1.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction 2.1.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition 2.1.3Algorithmic Thinking 2.1.4Pseudocode 2.1.5Flowchart Diagrams 2.1.6Interpreting Algorithms 2.1.7Correcting Algorithms 2.1.8Completing Algorithms 2.1.9Search Algorithms 2.1.10Binary Search 2.1.11Linear Search 2.1.12Overview of Sort Algorithms 2.1.13Bubble Sort 2.1.14Merge Sort 2.1.15Insertion Sort 2.1.16Exam-Style Questions - Sorting Algorithms

2.2

Programming Fundamentals

2.3

Producing Robust Programs

2.3.1Defensive Design 2.3.2Validation & Sanitisation 2.3.3Authentication & Contingencies 2.3.4Maintainability 2.3.5Purpose of Testing 2.3.6Types of Testing 2.3.7Test Plans 2.3.8Types of Errors 2.3.9End of Topic Test - Programming 2.3.10Exam-Style Questions - Testing

2.4

Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems 2.4.2Logic Circuits 2.4.3Boolean Logic 2.4.4Boolean Operators 2.4.5Grade 9 - Logic

2.5

Programming Languages & IDEs

2.5.1High-Level vs Low-Level Languages 2.5.2Translation - Compliers & Interpreter 2.5.3Translation - Assemblers 2.5.4Integrated Development Environments 2.5.5Exam-Style Questions - Translation

Practice questions on Memory & Process Management

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
What might happen if the memory manager does not efficiently manage the memory?Multiple choice
2
In reality, how many processes can be run on a single processor at once?Multiple choice
3
The process manager is responsible for:Fill in the list
4
What is multi-tasking?Multiple choice
5
Which manager controls the allocation of RAM to each running process?Multiple choice

Answer all questions on Memory & Process Management

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

User Interfaces

File Management