What is the memory management technique used when RAM is full?

Study for the OCR GCSE Computer Science Exam. Prepare with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and hints. Get exam-ready with practical questions and answers!

The correct answer is the memory management technique known as virtual memory. This technique is used to extend the available memory beyond the physical limitations of RAM. When RAM becomes full, the operating system uses virtual memory to allocate space on the hard drive to simulate additional RAM. This allows the system to run larger applications or multiple applications simultaneously by swapping data in and out of physical memory as needed.

Virtual memory uses a portion of the disk storage as if it were additional RAM, managing this process through paging or segmentation. It is an effective way to handle memory shortages, improving the overall functionality and efficiency of the system.

The other options relate to different types of memory or storage. Cache memory is a high-speed storage layer located closer to the CPU, optimized for frequently accessed data but does not serve as an overflow for RAM. ROM storage refers to read-only memory that usually contains firmware and is not used for dynamic memory management. Disk storage, while it does refer to hard drives or SSDs, does not specifically pertain to the memory management technique utilized when RAM is full. Thus, virtual memory specifically addresses the need for additional memory management beyond physical limitations.

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