Shared-memory is a concept in computer science and parallel computing that refers to a region of memory that can be accessed concurrently by multiple processes or threads running on a computer system. It is a form of interprocess communication where various processes or threads can read from and write to the same memory area, allowing them to share data and communicate with each other efficiently.
In a shared-memory system, the memory region is accessible by all executing processes or threads, which enables them to share data by directly reading or writing to the shared memory space. This eliminates the need for explicit message passing or file operations to transfer information between processes, leading to faster and more efficient data exchange.
Shared-memory allows for synchronized access to the shared data, as simultaneous access by multiple processes or threads can result in race conditions or other conflicts. To ensure proper synchronization, various synchronization primitives like locks, semaphores, or mutexes are used, which allow processes or threads to acquire exclusive access to specific portions of the shared memory.
Shared-memory is commonly utilized in parallel computing environments, such as multiprocessor systems or multi-core processors, where multiple processors or cores can execute independent tasks but require communication between them. It provides a flexible and efficient means of interprocess communication, enabling cooperation and coordination among parallel processes or threads and facilitating the development of concurrent software systems.
The word "shared-memory" is a compound word derived from two separate words: "shared" and "memory".
The term "shared" comes from the verb "share", which dates back to the Old English word "scearu", meaning "a portion or division". It evolved through various languages and ultimately came to English with the concept of distributing or dividing something among multiple parties.
The term "memory" has its origins in the Latin word "memoria", meaning "remembrance". It developed through Middle English and Old French before being adopted into its current form in English, referring to the faculty of the brain or computer system to store and recall information.
When combined, "shared-memory" refers to a memory architecture in computer systems where multiple processes or threads can access and share the same area of memory. This allows for communication and synchronization between different processes and enhances overall system performance.