Prozessspeicher

Prozessspeicher refers to the memory allocated to a running computer program, also known as a process. When an operating system starts an application, it reserves a contiguous block of virtual memory for that process. This memory is used to store various components essential for the program's execution.

These components include the program's executable code, which contains the instructions the CPU will follow. It also holds the process's data, such as variables and constants that the program manipulates. Additionally, a stack is allocated for function calls, local variables, and return addresses. A heap is another crucial area, used for dynamic memory allocation, allowing the program to request and release memory as needed during its runtime.

The operating system manages process memory through techniques like virtual memory, which abstracts the physical RAM and allows processes to operate as if they have a larger, dedicated memory space. This isolation prevents one process from interfering with the memory of another, enhancing system stability. When a process terminates, its allocated memory is released back to the operating system for reuse. Understanding process memory is fundamental to comprehending how software runs and how the operating system manages resources.