What is virtual memory and how does it extend physical memory?
Direct Answer
Asks for an explanation of the abstraction layer that allows programs to use more memory than physically available.
Why Interviewers Ask This
Virtual memory is a cornerstone of modern computing. Interviewers test your understanding of address translation, paging, and how the OS manages large address spaces efficiently.
How to Answer This Question
Define virtual memory as a memory management technique creating an illusion of larger memory. Explain the role of the MMU and page tables. Discuss how it separates logical and physical addresses. Mention benefits like memory protection and multiprogramming support.
Key Points to Cover
- Abstraction concept
- Address translation
- Disk as backup storage
- Security and isolation
Sample Answer
Virtual memory provides an abstraction that allows a computer to use disk space as an extension of RAM. The OS maps virtual addresses to physical ones using page tables. This enables running larger applications than phys…
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating it as just swap space
- Ignoring the hardware component (MMU)
- Not explaining the mapping process
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