AllocatorIndex

AllocatorIndex is a concept found in certain programming language runtimes and memory management systems. It serves as an identifier or handle that points to a specific memory allocator instance within a larger system. When a program needs to allocate or deallocate memory, it often does so through a designated allocator. In systems where multiple allocators might be in use, perhaps for different types of memory or for performance reasons, an AllocatorIndex helps differentiate between them.

This index can be a simple integer or a more complex data structure. The primary purpose is to provide a way for the runtime to select the correct allocator when a memory operation is requested. For example, if a program allocates a small, frequently used object, it might be directed to a specialized allocator optimized for such allocations. Conversely, a larger, less frequently used block of memory might be handled by a different allocator.

The use of AllocatorIndex allows for a more granular and flexible memory management strategy. It can enable optimizations such as thread-local allocators, pool allocators for specific data structures, or allocators designed for persistent memory. By abstracting the selection process behind an index, the system can dynamically choose the most appropriate memory management strategy for a given request without the programmer needing to explicitly manage the allocator. This leads to improved performance and reduced memory fragmentation.