Virtual Memory

[VUR-choo-ul MEM-uh-ree]
noun
Memória Virtual
1. A computer memory management technique that uses a combination of RAM and disk storage to provide programs with the illusion of having more memory available than physically exists
Virtual memory allows the operating system to use hard disk space as an extension of RAM.
A memória virtual permite que o sistema operacional use espaço do disco rígido como extensão da RAM.
2. The technique of using secondary storage (typically a hard drive or SSD) to supplement physical RAM, enabling multitasking and running larger applications
When your computer runs out of physical RAM, it utilizes virtual memory to prevent system crashes.
Quando seu computador fica sem RAM física, ele utiliza memória virtual para evitar travamentos do sistema.
3. The abstraction layer that provides each program with its own isolated memory address space
Each application operates in its own virtual memory space, isolated from other programs.
Cada aplicação opera em seu próprio espaço de memória virtual, isolada de outros programas.
Virtual Memory is a technical term universally used in computing across both Brazil and the United States. It's fundamental to modern operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and is taught in computer science curricula in both countries. The concept became critical with the rise of multitasking operating systems in the 1990s-2000s, allowing personal computers to run multiple applications simultaneously without requiring massive amounts of physical RAM.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
swap memorypaging spacevirtual address space
Antonyms / Antônimos
physical memoryRAM

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
Memória Virtual
Standard technical term used throughout Brazil
Portugal
Memória Virtual
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; universal technical terminology
USA/Canada
Virtual Memory
Standard term in English-speaking tech communities

Related Words

RAM (Random Access Memory)swap filepagingphysical memorycache memorymemory management

Related Idioms & Phrases

running on virtual memory (metaphorically: operating at reduced capacity)
swap out to disk
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