What is virtual memory?

Virtual memory is a memory management technique that combines hardware and software to allow a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from random access memory (RAM) to disk storage. This process creates an illusion for the user that there is a larger amount of available memory than is physically present in the system.

By using virtual memory, a system can run larger applications or multiple applications simultaneously even if the total amount of RAM is less than the sum of memory needs of those applications. The operating system manages this process transparently to the user, ensuring that the necessary data is available in RAM when needed, while less frequently accessed data can reside on the disk.

This technique improves overall system performance and allows for more efficient use of system resources, making it an essential feature in modern computing environments.