Introduction to Operating Systems | IIT Madras - #9 Segmentation | Introduction to Operating Systems

Welcome to 'Introduction to Operating Systems' course ! This lecture introduces segmentation as another memory management technique, focusing on its ability to divide programs into logical modules. It explains how segmentation offers a more logical and flexible approach to memory organization compared to the fixed-size blocks used in virtual memory. The lecture begins by highlighting the concept of logical modules in programs, such as global data, stack, heap, and functions. It then describes how segmentation allows these logical modules to be mapped into separate segments, enabling better organization and protection. The lecture explains the use of segment descriptor tables to store information about each segment, including its base address, limit, and access rights. It further discusses the process of address translation in segmentation, showing how the segment register and offset are used to form a logical address that is then mapped to a physical address. Finally, the lecture touches upon the issue of fragmentation in segmentation, explaining how it can lead to underutilization of memory. NPTEL Courses permit certifications that can be used for Course Credits in Indian Universities as per the UGC and AICTE notifications. To understand various certification options for this course, please visit https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106106144 #Segmentation #LogicalModules #SegmentDescriptorTable #AddressTranslation #Fragmentation