Blockmoving

Blockmoving is the act of relocating blocks, which can refer to physical blocks, data blocks, or memory blocks, from one location to another. The operation typically aims to preserve the contents of the blocks and to maintain any associated references, addresses, or layout constraints.

In logistics and manufacturing, blockmoving describes rearranging blocks within a storage area, container, or pallet. The goal is to optimize space, accessibility, or workflow while ensuring the blocks’ order and metadata remain consistent.

In computing, blockmoving covers several practices:

- Memory management: block-moving garbage collectors relocate live objects during collection to compact the heap, reducing fragmentation and reclaiming space. This often involves copying data from a from-space to a to-space and updating references.

- File systems and databases: defragmentation and compaction move data blocks to improve sequential access and overall performance, updating metadata accordingly.

- Data processing and programming: moving blocks of data within arrays or buffers, including operations that must handle overlapping regions safely (as in the C function memmove, which preserves data integrity when source and destination blocks overlap).

In games and puzzles, block-moving refers to challenges where players slide or push blocks to reach a goal or target configuration, a genre seen in various sliding-block and Sokoban-like puzzles.

Challenges common to blockmoving include preserving data integrity during relocation, updating all references, handling overlapping moves, and ensuring atomicity in multi-step operations.