System and method for memory reclamation

Details System and method for memory reclamation System and method for memory reclamation

2005-03-29

2005-03-29

Padmanabhan, Mano (Department: 2188)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Memory configuring

C711S158000, C707S793000, C717S140000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06874074

ABSTRACT:
A method for memory reclamation is disclosed that includes marking a memory object when an attempt to alter a reference to the memory object is detected by a software write barrier. Marking be by using representations (“black,” “white”, “gray”) stored as part of a garbage collection information data structure associated with each memory object. Initially, all allocated memory objects are marked white. Objects are then processed such that objects referenced by pointers are marked gray. Each object marked gray is then processed to determine objects referenced by pointers in it, and such objects are marked gray. When all objects referenced by pointers in the selected gray objected have been processed, the selected gray object is marked black. When all processing has been completed, objects still marked white may be reclaimed. Also described is a garbage collector which runs as a task concurrently with other tasks. A priority of the garbage collector may be increased to prevent interruption during certain parts of the garbage collection procedure.

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