System method and apparatus for providing linearly scalable dynamic memory management in a multiprocessing system
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorTHOMAS J. BONOLA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for dynamically allocating memory in a computer system at the application level. The application examines a heap data structure and a free list, identifies an unallocated region of memory that is appropriately sized, and allocates the memory to the application. The application deallocates a memory region by placing the memory region in the free list and modifying the heap data structure.
Claims10
In a computer system comprising an operating system, at least one application program, and system memory, a method for allocating the system memory, said method comprising the steps of:
- finding a portion of said system memory comprising at least a predetermined amount of memory, by said application program;
- and
- allocating said predetermined amount of memory within said portion to said application program.
In a computer system comprising an operating system, an application program, and system memory, a system for allocating said system memory comprising:
- a heap data structure for listing a size of at least one unallocated portion of said system memory;
- a free list for listing at least one address of said at least one unallocated portion of said system memory;
- and
- means for accessing said free list and said heap data structure by said application program, wherein said computer system includes a motherboard, and wherein at least part of said system is off said motherboard.
In a computer system comprising an operating system, a system memory, and an application program associated with a portion of said system memory, a method for disassociating said portion of said system memory from the application program, said method comprising the steps of:
- placing, by said application program, an address corresponding to said portion in a free list;
- and
- modifying an entry in a heap data structure, said entry corresponding to a size, said size equal to the size of said portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.