Method and apparatus for increasing scavenging garbage collection effectiveness
US6681306B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99957
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for enabling an efficient generational scavenging garbage collection to be performed on a managed memory area are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for reclaiming memory space uses a managed memory area that includes a first area and a second area. The first area is arranged to store recently allocated objects, while the second area being arranged to store older objects. The method includes determining when a first section of the first area in which new objects are to be allocated is substantially filled. When it is determined that the first section is substantially filled, a garbage collection is performed on a second section of the first. After the garbage collection, the second section is set to support new object allocation such that new objects are allocated in the second section, while the first section is reset such that it is no longer arranged to support new object allocation. In one embodiment, performing the garbage collection on the second section includes copying a live object from the second section into the second area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.