Explain the concept of virtual memory in the context of computer hardware and its impact on system performance.
Instructor solution
Virtual memory is a memory management technique where secondary memory can be used as if it were a part of the main memory (RAM). When the RAM is not sufficient to hold all the running programs, the operating system moves some data from the RAM to a space on the hard disk called the swap space or page file, creating 'virtual memory'. This allows for larger programs to run and for multitasking to occur more smoothly. However, because accessing the hard drive is slower than accessing RAM, relying too heavily on virtual memory can cause the system to run slower, impacting performance.
Think you've got it?
Which of the following best describes the role of virtual memory in a computer system?
- A.
It allows the system to use hard disk space as extra memory when the RAM is full.
- B.
It is a backup system that stores data in case of a system crash.
- C.
It is a type of high-speed memory used for temporary storage of data.
- D.
It is a physical component of the computer that stores data.
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