Abstract A data processing system (10) includes an adaptive method for allocation of RAM (20) as between procedures having both higher and lower priorities. The RAM (20) is provided with first and second portions (26,24), the first portion (26) for assignment to higher priority procedures and the second portion (24) for assignment to lower priority procedures, higher priority procedures being able to access also the second portion (24) of RAM (20). The adaptive method comprises the steps of: responding to a request (50) for allocation of RAM (20) to a higher priority procedure by determining (52) if RAM (20) is available from the first portion (26) and, if not, allocating RAM (20) from the second portion (24) to the higher priority procedure. The procedure enables allocation of RAM (20) from the second portion (24) to a lower priority procedure where available RAM (20) in the first portion (26) exceeds a first threshold level (A). The system continues the enablement until the available RAM (20) in the first portion (26) falls below a lower, second threshold level (B) at which point, the allocation to the lower priority procedure is inhibited. The inhibition of allocation of RAM (20) from the second portion (24) to a lower priority procedure continues until the available RAM (20) in the first portion (26) again exceeds the first threshold level (A).
An adaptive method for allocating random access memory (RAM) (20) in a data processing system (10), said data processing system (10) performing procedures having higher and lower priorities, said RAM (20) having first and second portions (26,24), said first portion (26) for assignment to higher priority procedures and said second portion (24) for assignment to lower priority procedures, said higher priority procedures also able to access said second portion (24), said adaptive method comprising the steps of: (a) responding to a request (50) for allocation of RAM to a higher priority procedure by determining (52) if RAM (20) is available from said first portion (26) and, if not, allocating (60) RAM (20) from said second portion (24) to said higher priority procedure; and (b) enabling allocation of RAM (20) from said second portion (24) to a lower priority procedure when available RAM (20) in said first portion (26) exceeds a first threshold level (A), and continuing said enablement until said available RAM (20) in said first portion (26) falls below a lower, second threshold level (B), at which point said allocation to a lower priority procedure is inhibited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further step of: continuing said inhibiting of allocation of RAM (20) from said second portion (26) to a lower priority procedure until said available RAM (20) again exceeds said first threshold level (A).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said lower priority procedure comprises an input/output task.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein an input/output task is preliminarily assigned an I/O buffer pool (22) from which it is enabled to obtain RAM (20) for input data, said input/output task only needing to request an allocation of RAM (20) from said second portion (26) when said I/O buffer pool (22) has no RAM (20) available.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said data processing system (10) sets an allocation flag equal to a first state when available RAM (20) in said first portion (26) falls beneath said second threshold level (B) and resets said allocation flag to a second state only when said available RAM (20) in said first portion (26) exceeds said first threshold level (A), whereby said data processing system (10) examines the state of said allocation flag in determining whether to enable allocation of RAM (20) from said second portion (24) , as recited in steps a and b.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said data processing system (10) enables allocation of RAM (20) to said lower priority procedure from said second portion (24) when said allocation flag is set to said first state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said data processing system (10) disables allocation of RAM (20) to said lower priority procedure from said second portion (24) when said allocation flag is set to said second state.
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