Patent ID: 8346822
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A garbage collection method of memory management for a software application in execution in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a first unit of heap memory having a predetermined size and without survivor memory as a first allocation space for the software application; storing data in the first allocation space; and discarding inactive data in the first allocation space in response to garbage collection of the heap memory by the steps of: a) supplying a second unit of memory separate from the heap memory for the software application as survivor memory; b) identifying active data in the first allocation space and copying said active data to the second unit of memory, the active data including at least data that is in use by the software application; c) indicating, in the first allocation space, that the active data has become inactive; d) mapping a portion of the first allocation space to be logically contiguous with the second unit of memory to define a second allocation space for the software application whereby the second allocation space has a size that is equivalent to the predetermined size; and e) returning a remaining portion of the first allocation as a unit of memory suitable for reuse.