Page Replacement algorithms: FIFO, OPR, LRU, MFU, LFU

Page replacement policies are an important aspect of memory management in operating systems, especially in those that use virtual memory. When the physical memory (RAM) is full and a new page is required, the operating system must select which page in memory should be evicted to make room for the new one. This decision is aided by page replacement policies. Here are some examples of common page replacement policies:

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First In First Out Page Replacement Policy

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This is one of the most straightforward page replacement algorithms. The new page replaces the oldest page in memory. It is implemented with a queue data structure, with the page at the front of the queue being replaced.

Example:

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Optimal Page Replacement Policy

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This is a hypothetical algorithm that replaces the page that will remain inactive for the foreseeable future. While it is an ideal page replacement technique, it is frequently unimplementable in practice due to the requirement for knowledge of future memory references.

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Least Recently Used (LRU) Page Replacement Policy

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This policy takes the place of the page that hasn't been utilized in the longest time. It is based on the premise that pages that haven't been seen in a while are less likely to be visited in the near future. Because implementing an exact LRU method is computationally expensive, approximations such as the use of counters or stacks may be used.

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LRU Approximation Page Replacement Policy

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Counting Based Page Replacement Policy

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Least Frequently Used Page Replacement Policy

This policy takes the place of the page that has been visited the fewest amount of times. It is based on the premise that pages that are used seldom are less necessary to remember.

Most Frequently Used Page Replacement Policy

In contrast to LFU, the MFU policy replaces the page that has been visited the most times. This approach attempts to maintain pages that are used regularly and eliminate those that were used frequently in the past but are no longer used as frequently.

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Page Buffering Algorithm

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Clock (Second Chance) Algorithm

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The Clock method is a FIFO modification that allows pages a "second chance" before being replaced. Pages are examined for replacement in a circular fashion, and when a page is accessed, a reference bit is set. Pages with a reference bit of 0 are considered for replacement, but instead of replacing them immediately, their reference bit is cleared, giving them another chance.

The page replacement policy to adopt is determined by a number of criteria, including the system's workload, available memory, and computational capabilities for tracking page usage. No one strategy is ideal for all cases, and the decision frequently entails balancing algorithm complexity and performance. To adapt to changing conditions, operating systems may use a combination of these policies or heuristics.

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