remapping

Remapping is the process of changing the mapping between inputs, outputs, or representations within a system. It is used to customize behavior, adapt to new hardware, optimize performance, or compensate for changes in the environment. Remapping can refer to reassigning functions to different controls, translating data formats, or reallocating resources within a device or software platform.

In computing and digital devices, remapping most commonly refers to changing input-device mappings. Users can reassign keyboard keys or game controller buttons, create macros, or swap functions to suit preferences. Remapping can be performed at the operating-system level, through device firmware, or by third-party software. Another form occurs in memory management: remapping addresses involves mapping physical memory or I/O addresses into a virtual address space, supporting virtualization, device isolation, and large memory configurations.

In neuroscience and cognitive science, remapping describes the reorganization of neural representations. Sensory and motor maps can shift in response to injury, learning, or altered sensory inputs. For example, after a limb is lost or redesigned, adjacent neural areas may expand to cover the vacant space; hippocampal place-field maps can remap when an animal experiences a new environment.

Remapping is used in other contexts as well, including robotics, geographic information systems, and software design, where control schemes, coordinate systems, or data formats are redefined to improve interoperability or usability. While remapping can increase flexibility, it can also introduce complexity or confusion if mappings are nonintuitive, so documentation and clear interfaces are important.