What to do When We Run Out of Memory
Computer Science: OCR A Level, topic 1.3.14
Running out of Memory
There are many approaches that we might take when we are running low on memory:
Installing more Random-Access Memory
- When we run out of RAM, we can purchase and install more RAM so that we can store more data.
- This is not always ideal because:
- RAM can be expensive.
- We may only need more memory on a temporary basis.
Virtual memory
- Virtual Memory is a technique where we use secondary storage as if it were RAM.
- Virtual memory is not always ideal since:
- Virtual Memory can have negative impacts on performance.
- Virtual Memory can have negative impacts on the health of Solid State Disks (SSDs).
- We might have limited space in secondary storage.
Terminating processes
- Each program/process will use a certain amount of memory.
- By closing some processes that we are not using, we can free the memory that they are using.
- This is not always possible because we may need all the processes.
Test yourself on What to do When We Run Out of Memory
What can we do if we run out of main memory?
Why might we choose not to purchase more Random Access Memory (RAM)?