Virtual Memory

Definition ∞ Virtual memory is a memory management technique that allows a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from RAM to disk storage. This process creates the illusion of a larger, contiguous memory space for applications. It enables the execution of programs larger than the available physical memory. The operating system manages this swap between RAM and disk.
Context ∞ While primarily a computer science concept, virtual memory holds indirect relevance in crypto news when discussing the performance and resource requirements of blockchain nodes or mining operations. Efficient memory management is critical for the smooth operation of full nodes and high-performance mining hardware. News regarding system upgrades or new hardware often touches upon how memory resources, including virtual memory configurations, impact the efficiency and scalability of blockchain infrastructure.