A Comparison of Dynamic and Static Virtual Memory Allocation Algorithms

In this paper we compare the performance of virtual memory allocation algorithms. The primary measure of performance is the space-time product of primary memory occupancy, or space-time cost, used by a program during its execution. Using DMIN, an optimal dynamic aliocation algorithm, we compute the minimum space-time cost achievable for some benchmark program runs. We compare the DMIN space-time cost with the space-time cost from: MIN, an optimal static allocation algorithm, VMIN, an optimal variable space algorithm, and two heuristic dynamic allocation algorithms. the page fault frequency algorithm and the damped working set algorithm.