Paging and Segmentation in Operating Systems

Paging

• Definition: A memory management technique that divides physical memory into fixed-size blocks called frames and logical memory into fixed-size blocks called pages.
• Advantages:
  • Efficient use of memory.
  • Reduced fragmentation.
  • Simplified memory management.
• How it works:
  • Pages are loaded into frames as needed.
  • Page tables map logical pages to physical frames.

Segmentation

• Definition: A memory management technique that divides logical memory into variable-size blocks called segments.
• Advantages:
  • More flexible memory allocation.
  • Better support for modular programming.
  • Improved memory protection.
• How it works:
  • Segments are allocated and deallocated as needed.
  • Segment tables map logical segments to physical addresses.

Comparison

• Paging is more commonly used due to its simplicity and efficiency.
• Segmentation provides more flexibility and support for modular programming.

Benefits

• Efficient memory use: Both paging and segmentation help reduce memory waste.
• Improved system performance: Both techniques enable efficient use of system resources.

Importance

• Memory management: Paging and segmentation are essential for effective memory management.
• System stability: Both techniques help prevent system crashes due to memory-related issues.