Addressvaries

Addressvaries is a term sometimes used in computing to describe situations where the memory address of a data object is not fixed and can change across executions, runs, or memory-management operations. It is not a formal standard term in core textbooks, but it appears in discussions about memory layout, security, and dynamic environments.

The phenomenon arises from several mechanisms. Dynamic memory allocators can relocate objects within the heap. Moving garbage collectors can relocate live objects during collection cycles. Virtual memory and operating-system level address translation can map the same object to different physical or virtual addresses over time or between processes. Address randomization techniques, such as ASLR, intentionally vary where code and data are loaded. In practice, addressvaries highlights the difference between absolute, static addresses and relocatable or virtualized addressing.

In software engineering, addressvaries has practical implications. Pointers to relocated objects may need to be updated, or programs must rely on indirection (handles, references, or smart pointers) to remain robust across moves. Languages and runtimes that perform object relocation typically provide mechanisms to isolate or hide address changes from application logic, while systems programming must account for potential address volatility.

Related concepts include relocation, address space layout randomization, and memory virtualization. Addressvaries is thus a broad descriptor for any scenario in which addresses are not immutable, emphasizing the separation between the logical identity of an object and its current address in memory.

See also: relocation, ASLR, garbage collection, memory management, virtual memory.