Definition

Noun: - The main memory in a virtual memory system: "Real storage" refers to the physical, high-speed random-access memory (RAM) hardware installed in a computer. In a virtual memory architecture, it is the actual, finite pool of memory where currently active programs and data reside for direct access by the central processing unit (CPU). It contrasts with "virtual storage," which is a much larger, simulated address space that uses disk storage.

Usage

• "Real storage" is a technical term used primarily in computing, especially in discussions about memory management, operating systems, and computer architecture.
• It is often contrasted with terms like "virtual storage," "virtual memory," or "disk storage."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The operating system manages the mapping between virtual addresses and locations in real storage.
  • When real storage is full, the system pages out less frequently used data to disk.
  • Adding more RAM increases the amount of real storage available to the system.

Advanced Usage

• "Real storage allocation": The process by which the operating system assigns portions of physical RAM to running processes.

  • Efficient real storage allocation is critical for system performance.

• "Real storage constraint": A limitation imposed by the finite amount of physical RAM.

  • The application's design must account for real storage constraints.

Variants and Related Words

• Physical memory: A common synonym for "real storage."
• RAM (Random Access Memory): The hardware technology that typically constitutes real storage.
• Main memory: Another general term for the primary, directly accessible memory of a computer.
• Virtual storage / Virtual memory: The conceptual, extended memory space that is partially stored on disk and mapped to real storage.

Synonyms

• Physical memory
• Primary storage
• Main memory
• RAM

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)

Given the technical nature of the term, it is not associated with phrasal verbs or idioms. Key related concepts include: - Paging: The process of moving data between real storage and disk storage. - Memory management unit (MMU): The hardware that handles the translation from virtual to real storage addresses. - Working set: The subset of a process's total memory that is actively held in real storage at a given time.

Noun

1. the main memory in a virtual memory system