Difference between revisions of "Address space"
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| − | An '''address space''' is the total [[namespace]] available for identifying discrete objects in an information-processing system. | + | An '''address space''' is the total [[namespace]] available for identifying discrete objects in an information-processing system. (These names are usually termed '[[address]]es'.) |
| − | Most commonly, it refers to the maximum amount of [[main memory]] a given [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] [[architecture]] can handle | + | Most commonly, it refers to the maximum amount of [[main memory]] a given [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] [[architecture]] can handle directly in a [[program]] (i.e. without use of a mechanism such as [[bank switching]]); although such CPU's could often/usually handle more memory than one address space's worth. |
| − | {{stub}} | + | However, it appears in other contexts as well; e.g. the [[Internet Protocol Version 4]] has an address space of 2^32 names (from its 32-bit addresses). |
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| + | {{semi-stub}} | ||
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| + | [[Category: Basics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:50, 18 September 2021
An address space is the total namespace available for identifying discrete objects in an information-processing system. (These names are usually termed 'addresses'.)
Most commonly, it refers to the maximum amount of main memory a given CPU architecture can handle directly in a program (i.e. without use of a mechanism such as bank switching); although such CPU's could often/usually handle more memory than one address space's worth.
However, it appears in other contexts as well; e.g. the Internet Protocol Version 4 has an address space of 2^32 names (from its 32-bit addresses).
