Computer Multitasking - Memory Swapping

Memory Swapping

Use of a swap file or swap partition is a way for the operating system to provide more memory than is physically available by keeping portions of the primary memory in secondary storage. While multitasking and memory swapping are two completely unrelated techniques, they are very often used together, as swapping memory allows more tasks to be loaded at the same time. Typically, a multitasking system allows another process to run when the running process hits a point where it has to wait for some portion of memory to be reloaded from secondary storage.

Read more about this topic:  Computer Multitasking

Famous quotes containing the words memory and/or swapping:

    A man is the prisoner of his power. A topical memory makes him an almanac; a talent for debate, disputant; skill to get money makes him a miser, that is, a beggar. Culture reduces these inflammations by invoking the aid of other powers against the dominant talent, and by appealing to the rank of powers. It watches success.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    sailing
    In sunlight smiling under their goggles swapping batons back and
    forth
    And He who jumped without a chute and was handed one by a diving
    Buddy.
    James Dickey (b. 1923)