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Memory Mapping

Memory mapping is the process by which an operating system translates virtual memory addresses to physical addresses, allowing programs to run by accessing data stored in virtual memory. The document explains various types of memory mapping, including file mapping, anonymous mapping, and device mapping, along with an algorithm for implementing memory mapping in C. It also provides a sample code demonstrating the memory mapping process, including file creation, memory allocation, and data manipulation.

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2 views5 pages

Memory Mapping

Memory mapping is the process by which an operating system translates virtual memory addresses to physical addresses, allowing programs to run by accessing data stored in virtual memory. The document explains various types of memory mapping, including file mapping, anonymous mapping, and device mapping, along with an algorithm for implementing memory mapping in C. It also provides a sample code demonstrating the memory mapping process, including file creation, memory allocation, and data manipulation.

Uploaded by

olgaphiri44
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Memory Mapping

Last Updated : 24 Apr, 2025



Modern computers have a virtual memory that is not physically present. We


can achieve it by setting up a Hard disk, this way extended memory is called
virtual memory. So any program that is inside the computer will have a virtual
memory address to store data. This data cannot be used unless it is
converted to a physical address. So, In short, Memory Mapping is the process
done by the Operating System to translate Virtual memory addresses to
physical addresses. So, the program can run anytime when the OS loads it as
it is required.
What is Memory Mapping?
Memory mapping or mmap() is a function call in an Operating system like
Unix. It is a low-level language, and it helps to directly map a file to the
currently executing process’s own memory address space. Which could
optimize File I/O operations, inter-process communication, etc.
Types of Mapping
1. File Mapping: It will map the File to the process virtual memory
 Read-Only Mappings: The File is mapped into memory only for the
purpose of reading. If we try to write it will end up in a segmentation fault.
 Read-Write Mappings: The file is mapped into memory for both reading
and writing. ie, it helps with file manipulation.
2. Anonymous mapping: It is a memory-mapped region where there is no
connection with any file/device. Or we can say it is used for dynamic allocation
of memory within a program.
 Private Anonymous Mapping: This is an area of memory that does not
have a file associated with it. It is commonly used for dynamic allocation.
Custom memory allocators are examples of this type of mapping.
 Shared Anonymous mapping: Inter-process communication is a type of
shared mapping in which multiple processes can have access to and
change the data. An example of this is implementing Inter-process
communication (IPC).
3. Device Mapping: In this type, Registers, hardware devices like graphic
cards, and network adapters can be mapped into the process’s address
space.
Implementation of Memory-Mapping Algorithm
M Memory mapping involves a series of steps. An algorithmic
explanation of how memory mapping can be implemented in C is
provided here:
1. Start
2. Initialize the size of the file and mapping.
3. If the file not exists, create file; Open the file.
4. If exists, truncate the file to the desired size.
5. Create a memory-mapped region.
6. Initialize memory-mapped region with some data.
7. Read and print the contents of the memory mapped region.
8. Un-map the memory and close the file.
9. Stop
emory mapping involves a series of steps. An algorithmic explanation of how
memory mapping can be implemented in C is provided here:
1. Start
2. Initialize the size of the file and mapping.
3. If the file not exists, create file; Open the file.
4. If exists, truncate the file to the desired size.
5. Create a memory-mapped region.
6. Initialize memory-mapped region with some data.
7. Read and print the contents of the memory mapped region.
8. Un-map the memory and close the file.top
#include <fcntl.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <sys/mman.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <unistd.h>

int main()
{
const char* file_path = "GFG-M-Mapping.txt";
const size_t file_size
= 4096; // Initializing file size to $kb.

// We open the file for read/write operation


int fd = open(
file_path, O_RDWR | O_CREAT,
0400 | 0200); // Use octal values for permissions
if (fd == -1) {
perror("open");
return 1;
}
// if already exist,we trucate it to desired size
if (ftruncate(fd, file_size) == -1) {
perror("ftruncate");
close(fd);
return 1;
}

// Create a memory-mapped region for the file.


void* file_memory
= mmap(NULL, file_size, PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE,
MAP_SHARED, fd, 0);
if (file_memory == MAP_FAILED) {
perror("mmap");
close(fd);
return 1;
}

// Initialize the memory-mapped region with some data.


const char* message
= "Hello Geeks,Memory mapping is done !";
strncpy(file_memory, message, strlen(message));

// Read and print the contents of the memory-mapped


// region.
printf("Contents of the memory-mapped region: %s\n",
(char*)file_memory);

// Unmap the memory and close the file.


munmap(file_memory, file_size);
close(fd);

return 0;
}
Output
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