relocationdecompression

Relocationdecompression is a concept in data processing that combines relocation of code or data with on-the-fly decompression to place compressed content at its required runtime addresses. The technique relies on a relocation map or table that records the final addresses for blocks and a streaming decompressor that outputs data directly into the target memory locations as relocation information is applied. In practice, this enables stored assets to be kept in a compressed form on disk or in firmware and progressively decompressed into non-contiguous or constrained memory spaces during loading or execution.

Mechanism and use cases hinge on coordinating address relocation with decompression. A loader or runtime system uses the relocation table to determine where each block should reside, while the decompressor writes decompressed bytes into those target addresses. Some implementations support lazy or demand decompression, where blocks are decompressed only when accessed, and update pointers as needed. Maintaining correct references and ensuring memory protections during streaming are essential considerations.

Advantages of relocationdecompression include reduced storage I/O, lower memory footprints, and more flexible memory layouts, which can be beneficial for embedded systems, game engines, and specialized boot paths. It can also enable faster startup in environments with large asset sets by overlapping I/O with computation.

Challenges involve increased complexity in the loader, potential runtime latency from relocation during decompression, debugging difficulty, and security concerns if relocation metadata is compromised. The term is used primarily in theoretical discussions and niche projects rather than as a widely standardized technique.

See also memory management, data decompression, code relocation, streaming algorithms.