A flat memory model is a method of organizing the address space of the RAM of computing devices. In a flat model, code and data use the same address space. For 16-bit processors, a flat memory model allows addressing 64 kB of RAM; for 32-bit processors 4 GB, for 64-bit - up to 16 exabytes (for amd64 the size is limited to 256 TB [1] ).
Memory management is still (for 2011) implemented on the basis of a flat model, in order to promote the functionality of the operating system , protect resources, multitask, or increase the amount of memory beyond the limits imposed by the physical address space of the processor.
Advantages of memory management with a flat model:
- In one of the multitasking embedded applications where memory management is not necessary and not desirable, the model provides the simplest programming interface, with direct access to all memory locations and minimal program design complexity.
- With multitasking and resource allocation, the flat model still provides maximum flexibility for implementing this type of memory management.
Notes
- ↑ AMD Corporation. Volume 2: System Programming (PDF). AMD64 Architecture Programmer's Manual . AMD Corporation (December 2016). Date of appeal March 25, 2017.