← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Virtual memory

Part of secondary storage (HDD or SSD) that the computer uses as extra RAM when real RAM is full. It is slower than RAM.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 20, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 19

Understanding Virtual memory in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Virtual memory is not a separate chip. It is an area of secondary storage that the computer treats as extra RAM. Reading and writing to an HDD or SSD takes longer than using RAM, so virtual memory is slower than real RAM. It gives the computer extra space to hold data and programs when RAM runs out, so it behaves like more RAM.

Common mistakes: Virtual memory is needed when there is NOT enough free RAM, so the test should be ram_free < needed. With > the program would use virtual memory when RAM has plenty of space. When RAM is full, the extra memory comes from virtual memory, which is part of secondary storage. ROM is read-only and cannot act as extra RAM.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 314–324) and word search (Modules 304–324).

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Learning

Duo

Virtual memory is an area of secondary storage that the computer uses as extra RAM.

TrueFalse

Matches

virtual memory = extra chips added to the RAM

↓

Virtual memory is not extra RAM hardware. It is an area of the hard drive or SSD used as if it were RAM.

Applying

Meanings

Term

virtual memory

Meaning

Part of secondary storage (HDD or SSD) that the computer uses as extra RAM when real RAM is full. It is slower than RAM.

Practice

IF RAMFull = TRUE THEN

Testing

Gaps

()

Check Answer

Spots

1IF ram_free > needed THEN

2 USE virtual_memory

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Quick Questions

1. Virtual memory is an area of secondary storage that the computer uses as extra RAM.

A. False

B. True ✓

Virtual memory is part of the HDD or SSD that acts as an extension of RAM when real RAM is full.

2. Which statement about virtual memory is correct?

A. It is faster than real RAM

B. It is slower than real RAM ✓

Virtual memory lives on an HDD or SSD, which is much slower than RAM chips, so the computer slows down when it relies on it.

3. When does a computer start to use virtual memory?

A. When physical RAM is full ✓

B. When the computer is switched off

Virtual memory is only needed as extra space when there is not enough free RAM for the programs and data being used.

4. Where is virtual memory located?

A. An area of the hard drive or SSD ✓

B. A separate chip on the motherboard

Virtual memory is not a new chip. It is a reserved area of secondary storage such as an HDD or SSD.

5. Virtual memory acts as an extension of RAM.

A. True ✓

B. False

It gives the computer extra space to hold data and programs when RAM runs out, so it behaves like more RAM.

Match the Pairs

virtual memory → An area of secondary storage (HDD or SSD) that the computer uses as extra RAM when real RAM is full

RAM full -> use virtual memory → When physical RAM has no free space, the computer uses part of secondary storage as extra RAM

Virtual memory acts as an extension of RAM, so it is stored on the hard drive or SSD → virtual memory = area of HDD/SSD

Virtual memory is slower than real RAM because secondary storage has slower access speeds → speed(RAM) > speed(virtual memory)

virtual memory = extra chips added to the RAM → Virtual memory is not extra RAM hardware. It is an area of the hard drive or SSD used as if it were RAM.

speed(virtual memory) > speed(RAM) → Virtual memory is slower than RAM, not faster, because it is held on secondary storage.

Key Term

virtual memory

Part of secondary storage (HDD or SSD) that the computer uses as extra RAM when real RAM is full. It is slower than RAM.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF ramFull = TRUE THEN useVirtualMemory() ENDIF

Hint: Type the name of the procedure that makes the computer use the extra RAM area on its drive.

2. IF ramFull = TRUE THEN useVirtualMemory() ENDIF

Hint: Type the variable that records whether real RAM has run out of space.

3. isSlower ← virtualSpeed < ramSpeed

Hint: Type the comparison operator meaning 'less than', because the drive area is slower than real RAM.

4. totalRam ← realRam + virtualMemory

Hint: Type the name of the area of the HDD or SSD that is added on to real RAM as an extension.

5. IF ramFull = TRUE THEN useVirtualMemory() ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that follows an IF condition and introduces the action to carry out.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A IF ram_free > needed THEN

B USE virtual_memory

C STORE page ON disk

D ENDIF

Line A — Virtual memory is needed when there is NOT enough free RAM, so the test should be ram_free < needed. With > the program would use virtual memory when RAM has plenty of space.

Question 2

A ram_full ← TRUE

B IF ram_full = TRUE THEN

C extra ← ROM

D ENDIF

Line C — When RAM is full, the extra memory comes from virtual memory, which is part of secondary storage. ROM is read-only and cannot act as extra RAM.

Question 3

A vm_area ← area_of_HDD

B speed ← FASTER_THAN_RAM

C OUTPUT speed

Line B — Virtual memory is on a hard drive or SSD, which is slower than real RAM. The line should be speed ← SLOWER_THAN_RAM.

Question 4

A IF ram_full THEN

B page ← oldest_page_in_RAM

C MOVE page TO CPU

D ENDIF

Line C — Pages are moved out of RAM into virtual memory, which is an area of the disk (secondary storage). They are not moved to the CPU. It should be MOVE page TO disk.

Question 5

A name ← virtual_memory

B uses ← RAM_or_ROM

C OUTPUT name, uses

Line B — Virtual memory is an area of secondary storage, so it uses an HDD or SSD. It is not made from RAM or ROM chips.

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