What is virtual memory in an operating system?

a) A memory management technique that allows the execution of processes larger than physical memory

b) A technique for prioritizing processes

c) A method for organizing file systems

d) A type of hardware used to expand physical memory

Answer:

a) A memory management technique that allows the execution of processes larger than physical memory

Explanation:

Virtual memory is a memory management technique used by operating systems to allow the execution of processes that require more memory than what is physically available on the system. It extends the available memory by using a portion of the disk (swap space) as if it were additional RAM.

When a process exceeds the size of available physical memory, parts of the process that are not currently needed are swapped out to disk, freeing up RAM for other active tasks. Virtual memory creates the illusion of having more memory than physically exists, allowing larger programs to run efficiently.

This technique improves system performance by allowing efficient memory utilization and reducing the limitations imposed by the amount of physical memory in the system.

Reference:

Operating System MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)