shm

Shm is an acronym that can denote different concepts depending on context. In computing, shm commonly stands for shared memory, a memory region that can be accessed by multiple processes for inter-process communication.

Shared memory enables fast data exchange since it avoids copying data between processes. It is typically implemented through either System V shared memory APIs (shmget, shmat, shmdt) or POSIX shared memory interfaces (shm_open, mmap). Access control, synchronization, and cleanup (detaching, removing descriptors) are important considerations. Some operating systems map shared memory in special file system paths such as /dev/shm.

In immunology, SHM (somatic hypermutation) refers to a cellular process that diversifies the antibody repertoire in B cells. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) introduces mutations in immunoglobulin genes within germinal centers, promoting affinity maturation of antibodies. SHM is a key mechanism underpinning adaptive immunity and is a focus of vaccine research and autoimmune disease studies.

Other uses of the acronym SHM or Shm can be encountered in different fields or as part of product names, but are generally context-specific. There is no single universally accepted meaning for Shm without context.