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Computer Science Step 2: Exploring memory usage (b) High pressure: Memory usage is
Bar.” Enable “Activity Monitor”
approaching available capacity, and
under “Other.”
performance might be impacted.
Step 5: Further experimentation
(a) Locate the “Memory” or “Memory
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Usage” section in Task Manager/
windows simultaneously, and
Activity Monitor. (a) Open multiple browser tabs or
(b) Observe the following details: observe how memory usage
increases with more active content.
(i) Total memory: This is the total (b) Try running a resource-intensive
physical RAM installed on your program (e.g., video editing
computer. software). See how it significantly
(ii) Used memory: This shows impacts memory usage compared
how much memory is currently to simpler applications.
being used by running programs
and system processes. Deliverable:
(iii) Available memory: This Write a two-page report on OS
memory management, covering the
indicates the amount of free following aspects
memory remaining. (a) Explain the importance of memory
Step 3: Monitoring memory usage management for the smooth
operation of a computer system.
in action (b) Discuss how memory usage impacts
(a) Open a few different programs application performance. What
(e.g., web browser, word processor, might happen if a program requires
music player). Observe how the more memory than available?
“Used Memory” value increases (c) Use the resources on the internet
as programs launch and consume and the school library to study the
memory resources. concept of virtual memory and
(b) Close some programs and observe how it helps to extend the available
how “Used Memory” decreases, memory by utilizing hard drive
freeing up memory for other tasks. space
(d) Document your findings in a
Step 4: Observe memory pressure portifolio.
Some systems might display a “memory
pressure” indicator. This helps you
to assess whether your system is Chapter Summary
experiencing memory limitations.
(a) Low pressure: Your system has Reflect on what you have learnt from
enough memory to handle current this chapter, summarise and keep it in
tasks efficiently. your portfolio.
430
for Advanced Secondary Schools
Computer Science Form 5.indd 430 23/07/2024 12:34
