The minimum number of page frames that must be allocated to a running process…
2004
The minimum number of page frames that must be allocated to a running process in a virtual memory environment is determined by
- A.
the instruction set architecture
- B.
page size
- C.
physical memory size
- D.
number of processes in memory
Attempted by 169 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Answer: the instruction set architecture
Key points:
The instruction set architecture (ISA) and the processor/MMU design define constraints such as instruction alignment, addressing modes, and which parts of memory must be simultaneously resident for correct execution. These constraints set the minimum number of page frames a process requires.
Page size determines the number of bytes in each frame and therefore how many pages make up an address space, but it does not by itself specify the minimum count of frames required for execution.
Physical memory size and the number of processes in memory affect availability and allocation policy (how frames are distributed), not the architectural minimum that a single process must have.
Example: An ISA might require certain pages (e.g., a code page and a stack page) to be resident to begin execution. That requirement comes from the ISA/hardware behavior, so the ISA determines the minimum frames.