Virtual Memory
What is Virtual Memory?
If your computer lacks the random access memory (RAM) needed to run a program or operation.
Virtual memory combines your computer’s RAM with temporary space on your hard disk. When RAM runs low, virtual memory moves data from RAM to a space called a paging file. Moving data to and from the paging file frees up RAM to complete its work.
What is a Page File and what does it do?
In storage, a pagefile is a reserved portion of a hard disk that is used as an extension of random access memory (RAM) for data in RAM that hasn't been used recently. A pagefile can be read from the hard disk as one contiguous chunk of data and thus faster than re-reading data from many different original locations.
In other operating systems, the pagefile is called a swap file or a swap partition.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Memory?
Advantages:
You can run more applications at once
You can run larger applications with less real RAM
You don't have buy more memory RAM
Disadvantages:
Applications run slower
It takes more time to switch between applications
Less hard drive space for your use