Patent Publication Number: US-2021182147-A1

Title: Method for memory management for browser of terminal, terminal, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/096592, filed on Jul. 18, 2019, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201810990014.0, filed on Aug. 28, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of browser technology, and more particularly to a method for memory management for a browser of a terminal, a terminal, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Browser is software that can display hypertext markup language (HTML) files. 
     During running of the browser, due to the increasing number of web pages opened with the browser, memory occupied by the browser is also increasing. At this time, available memory of a terminal is decreasing, which leads to the browser opening web pages more slowly, even makes the browser unresponsive. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a method for memory management for a browser of a terminal is provided. The method includes the following. Run the browser. During the running of the browser, monitor whether an operating system of the terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser. Redundant memory of the browser is released upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     According to another aspect, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes at least one processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage. The computer readable storage is coupled to the at least one processor and stores at least one computer executable instruction which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: run a browser; control the browser to monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser, during running of the browser; control the browser to release redundant memory of the browser upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     According to yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer programs which, when loaded and executed by a processor, are operable with the processor to: run a browser; control the browser to monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser, during running of the browser; control the browser to release redundant memory of the browser upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a method for memory management for a browser according to implementations. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating running of a browser according to implementations. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method for memory management for a browser according to other implementations. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method for memory management for a browser according to other implementations. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a device for memory management for a browser according to implementations. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a terminal according to implementations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For better understanding of objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the disclosure, the following will describe implementations of the disclosure in detail in conjunction with accompanying drawings. 
     According to the technical solutions provided by implementations of the disclosure, during running of a browser, monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser. Upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, redundant memory of the browser is released in time. As such, there will always be sufficient available memory for the browser, which can avoid the slow response or even failure of the browser due to insufficient memory, so as to improve the performance of the browser. 
     In the technical solutions provided herein, various steps may be performed by a terminal. The above-described terminal may be a mobile phone, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a multi-media playback device, a wearable device, or other electronic devices. 
     A browser is installed in the terminal. All steps may be performed by the browser. The browser is software that can display contents of HTML, files of a web server or a file system and allow users to interact with the contents. For example, the browser is Firefox® browser, Chrome® browser, Opera® browser, UC® browser, or the like. 
     For the convenience of description, in following implementations of the method, the terminal is taken as an example for performing various steps. The disclosure is not limited thereto. 
       FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a method for memory management for a browser according to implementations. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the method begins at block  101 . 
     At block  101 , run the browser. 
     If a user wants to run the browser, the user can click an icon of the browser in a terminal, such that the terminal can run the browser according to an operation signal received, which acts on the icon of the browser. 
     In one example, the terminal can run the browser according to a running mode of the browser, where the running mode of the browser is determined according to a memory size of the terminal running the browser. In at least one implementation, operations at block  101  include operations at block  101   a  to block  101   c.    
     At block  101   a,  upon receiving a running instruction for the browser, memory information of the terminal is obtained. 
     The memory information is indicative of the memory size. The memory size of the terminal may be 3 giga byte (GB), 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, or the like, which is not limited herein. 
     At block  101   b,  a running mode of the browser is determined according to the memory information obtained. 
     The running mode of the browser is a multi-process mode or a single-process and multi-thread mode. The process is a basic unit for allocating and managing resources during execution of concurrent programs. The thread is an execution unit in a process, and is a basic unit that is smaller than the process and can run independently. The thread is also termed as a “lightweight process”. 
     For example, when the running mode of the browser is the multi-process mode, the browser includes multiple processes that are executed concurrently. The multiple processes may include a main process (e.g., a browser process), a renderer process, a third party plug-in process, a graphics processing unit (GPU) process, and the like. For another example, when the running mode of the browser is the single-process and multi-thread mode, the browser includes one process, and multiple threads are executed concurrently in a process space of the process. The multiple threads include a main thread (e.g., a browser thread), a renderer thread, a third party plug-in thread, a GPU thread, and the like. Compared with the single-process and multi-thread mode, when the browser runs in the multi-process mode, high security and stability can be achieved, but more memory are occupied. 
     In some implementations, when the memory size indicated by the memory information is greater than a first threshold, determine that the running mode of the browser is the multi-process mode. In other implementations, when the memory size is less than a second threshold, determine that the running mode of the browser is the single-process and multi-thread mode. The first threshold is greater than the second threshold. 
     The first threshold and the second threshold can be set according to experience. The disclosure is not limited thereto. In one example, the first threshold is 6 GB and the second threshold is 4 GB. 
     Different memories are required in different running modes. In implementations of the disclosure, for a terminal having a relatively large memory, the browser can run in the multi-process mode to enable safety and stability. In contrast, for a terminal having a relatively small memory, the browser can run in the single-process and multi-thread mode, such that the browser requires a relatively small memory. Since the running mode of the browser is determined according to the memory size of the terminal, different performance requirements of the browser can be met, which is more flexible. 
     At block  101   c,  run the browser according to the running mode of the browser. 
     As an example, when the running mode of the browser is the multi-process mode, run the browser according to the multi-process mode. As another example, when the running mode of the browser is the single-process and multi-thread mode, run the browser according to the single-process and multi-thread mode. 
     At block  102 , whether an operating system of the terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser is monitored, during running of the browser. 
     During running of the browser, the browser starts a memory detection mechanism. When the browser requests from the operating system memory required for running, if the operating system determines that a memory size of available memory of the terminal is less than that of the memory requested by the browser, a memory processing callback function registered in advance may be invoked to send an allocation failure notification to the browser. The allocation failure notification is for indicating that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     In addition, to allow the browser to register in advance the memory processing callback function, before running the browser, it is necessary to load a memory allocation scheme customized by developers rather than a memory allocation scheme in the system. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating running of a browser according to implementations. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the terminal receives the running instruction for the browser, a memory monitoring module in the browser determines whether the terminal is a high-performance mobile phone. As an example, if the terminal is a high-performance mobile phone, a process control module in the browser determines that the browser runs in the multi-process mode. On the other hand, if the terminal is not a high-performance mobile phone, the process control module determines that the browser runs in the single-process and multi-thread mode, and switches a memory allocation scheme from the memory allocation scheme in the system to the memory allocation scheme customized by developers, and then registers the memory processing callback function. 
     At block  103 , redundant memory of the browser is released upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     In at least one implementation, the redundant memory includes one or more of the following: memory occupied by a kernel of the browser, memory occupied during picture decoding, memory occupied by scripts, memory occupied by cascading style sheets (CSS), memory occupied during script parsing, or memory occupied by a GPU. 
     The kernel of the browser is also known as a rendering engine, and is configured to determine how the browser displays contents of a web page and a format of the web page. The script is a program saved in a plain text format, and used to determine a series of actions that control a computer to carry out operations. When executed, the script needs to be translated into machine-recognizable instructions by an interpreter. The CSS is a computer language used to describe styles for presenting files written in a markup language such as HTML, or extensible markup language (XML). The memory occupied during script parsing is the memory occupied during script translation. The GPU, which is also known as a display core or a display chip, is a microprocessor which is specially used for image operation on a personal computer (PC), a workstation, a game console, and a mobile device such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, and the like. 
     In one example, each time the browser releases one of the above redundant memory, the browser monitors whether the operating system allocates the memory to the browser successfully. If the operating system allocates the memory to the browser successfully, the process is ended and the browser continues to run. Otherwise, proceed to the step of releasing one of the above redundant memory, to release another redundant memory. It should be noted that the redundant memory released by the browser each time is different from each other. 
     In another example, each time the browser releases a preset size of redundant memory, the browser monitors whether the operating system allocates the memory to the browser successfully. If the operating system allocates the memory to the browser successfully, the process is ended and the browser continues to run. Otherwise, proceed to the step of releasing the preset size of redundant memory, to release another preset size of the redundant memory. It should be noted that the preset size can be set according to actual needs, which is not limited herein. As an example, the preset size is 300 MB. 
     It can be understood that when the browser releases the redundant memory according to the above two possible implementations, the number of times the redundant memory is released can be counted. 
     In summary, according to the method provided herein, during the running of the browser, monitor whether the operating system of the terminal running the browser fails to allocate the memory to the browser. Upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, the redundant memory of the browser is released in time. As such, there will always be sufficient available memory for the browser, which can avoid the slow response or even failure of the browser due to insufficient memory, so as to improve the performance of the browser. 
     In addition, since the running mode of the browser is determined according to the memory size of the terminal, that is, if the terminal has a relatively large memory, the browser runs in the multi-process mode; otherwise, the browser runs in the single-process and multi-thread mode, which can meet different performance requirements of the browser and is relatively flexible. 
     However, after the browser releases all the redundant memory or the browser releases the redundant memory more times, a situation that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser may still exist. The following explains how to deal with this situation. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method for memory management for a browser according to other implementations. The method begins at block  301 . 
     At block  301 , run the browser. 
     At block  302 , monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser, during running of the browser. 
     At block  303 , redundant memory of the browser is released upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     In at least one implementation, the redundant memory includes one or more of the following: memory occupied by a kernel of the browser, memory occupied during picture decoding, memory occupied by scripts, memory occupied by CSS, memory occupied during script parsing, or memory occupied by a GPU. 
     At block  304 , a target object in the browser is restarted according to a running mode of the browser. 
     “Restarting” refers to a process of closing the target object and then starting the target object. Memory occupied by the target object before restarting is greater than that occupied by the target object after restarting. When the target object is closed, the browser releases all memory occupied by the target object, and when the target object is restarted, the browser reallocates memory to the target object. Since some memory occupied by the target object during the running of the browser may become redundant memory, for example, over time or due to page jump, or the like, the browser does not take into account the above redundant memory when reallocating memory to the target object. As such, memory reallocated to the target object is less than that released by the browser from the target object, and thus can increase the available memory. 
     For example, during restarting the target object, the memory released by the browser, which is occupied by the target object, is 100 MB, and the memory reallocated to the target object by the browser is 20 MB. 
     In some implementations, the running mode of the browser is a multi-process mode, operations at block  304  are implemented as follows. A target process of the browser is restarted, where the target process is a process other than a main process of the browser. In one example, the target process is one or more of following: a renderer process, a third party plug-in process, a GPU process, or the like. 
     When the main process of the browser is closed, the browser will stop running. However, when a process(es) of the browser other than the main process is closed, the browser will not stop running. Therefore, in implementations of the disclosure, a process(es) of the browser other than the main process is restarted. The following describes the renderer process as an example of the target process. The browser requests memory for the renderer process again after releasing all memory occupied by the renderer process to reload a current page. In addition, when the browser restarts the renderer process, it is also necessary to restore data and message communication in the browser. 
     In other implementations, when the running mode of the browser is a single-process and multi-thread mode, the operations at block  304  are implemented as follows. A target thread of the browser is restarted, where the target thread is a thread other than a main thread of the browser. In one example, the target thread is one or more of the following: a renderer thread, a third party plug-in thread, a GPU thread, or the like. 
     On condition that the running mode of the browser is the single-process and multi-thread mode, if the process or the main thread of the browser is restarted, the browser may be closed directly. Therefore, in implementations of the disclosure, a thread other than the main thread of the browser is restarted. The following describes the renderer thread as an example of the target thread. The browser requests memory for the renderer thread again after releasing all memory occupied by the renderer thread to reload a current page. In addition, when the browser restarts the renderer thread, it is also necessary to restore data and message communication in the browser. 
     At block  305 , the target object in the browser is restarted according to the running mode of the browser, when the number of times of releasing the redundant memory of the browser is not less than a preset number. 
     In at least one implementation, prior to performing the operation at block  304 , the terminal further detects whether the number of times of releasing the redundant memory of the browser is less than the preset number. When the number of times is greater than or equal to the preset number, the method proceeds to the operation at block  304 ; otherwise, proceed to release the redundant memory. 
     The preset number is set according to experience. The discourse is not limited thereto. In one example, the preset number is 5 times. In implementations of the disclosure, each time the redundant memory is released, the browser counts the number of times of releasing the redundant memory. The browser can detect whether the number of times is less than the preset number according to a counted number obtained and the preset number. 
     Furthermore, the operation at block  305  can be further implemented as follows. When the number of times of releasing is not less than the preset number and it is monitored that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, the target object in the browser is restarted according to the running mode of the browser. In one example, after detecting that the number of times is not less than the preset number, the browser requests the available memory from the operating system again. If the operating system still fails to allocate the memory to the browser, a memory processing callback function is invoked to send an allocation failure notification to the browser, where the allocation failure notification is for indicating that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     In some implementations, prior to restarting the target object in the browser according to the running mode of the browser, the browser first detects whether the number of times of releasing the redundant memory of the browser reaches the preset number and monitors whether the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. Upon detecting that the number of times reaches the preset number and monitors that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, the browser proceeds to restarting the target object in the browser according to the running mode of the browser. In this way, it is possible to avoid continuing to perform the technical solution provided herein when the available memory is sufficient, which can improve running efficiency of the browser. 
     It can be understood that the browser may only need to perform any one of the above operation at block  304  or block  305 . For example, the browser can perform the operation at block  304  or the operation at block  305 , which is not limited herein. 
     In addition, after the browser restarts the target object, the browser can continue to monitor whether the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. If yes, the browser collects abnormal information and stop running. The above-mentioned abnormal information may include a function (that is, stack information) invoked when the browser stops running, a last page or network address visited by the browser, or the like. The disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     As such, after the browser releases the redundant memory, it further restarts an object of the browser according to the running mode of the browser. Since the memory occupied by the object will be released when the object is closed and the memory will be reallocated when the object is restarted, and the memory reallocated to the object is less than that released from the object, the available memory can be increased, which can further avoid that the operating system fails to allocate memory to the browser, thereby improving the performance of the browser. 
     In one example, in combination with  FIG. 4 , the browser in the terminal starts running and visits a page, and then requests the operating system to allocate memory. The browser monitors whether the operating system allocates the memory to the browser successfully. If the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, a memory optimizing module in the browser responds and performs the following operations sequentially. Memory occupied by the kernel of the browser is optimized. Memory occupied by the CSS is cleared up. Memory occupied during picture decoding is cleared up. Memory occupied by javascript scripts is cleared up. Memory occupied by GPU layer composite of the browser is cleared up. Memory occupied during browser V8 script parsing is cleared up. Thereafter, the browser detects whether the number of times of releasing the redundant memory of the browser reaches the preset number. If the number of times does not reach the preset number and the available memory of the terminal is sufficient, the browser returns to the step of requesting the operating system to allocate memory. On the contrary, if the number of times reaches the preset number and the available memory of the terminal is insufficient, the browser first determines whether the running mode is the multi-process mode. If the running mode is the multi-process mode, the browser restarts one or more processes (such as the renderer process) other than the main process. For example, restarting being performed on the renderer process is taken as an example. The browser exits the renderer process and then restores the data and message communication in the browser. Alternatively, if the running mode is the single-process and multi-thread mode, the browser restarts a thread(s) other than the main thread. The restarting of the thread(s) other than the main thread is similar to that of the renderer process. That is, the browser exits the thread other than the main thread and then restores the data and message communication in the browser. Finally, the browser detects whether the available memory of the terminal is sufficient. If the available memory of the terminal is sufficient, the browser returns to the step of requesting the operating system to allocate memory. On the contrary, if the available memory of the terminal is still insufficient, an abnormal information collecting module in the browser responds and collects abnormal information of the browser, and a browser process can be existed. 
     The following is a device implementation of the disclosure, which can be configured to implement the method implementations of the disclosure. In this example, the application method is not disclosed. For technical details not described in the device implementation, reference may be made to the method implementations. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a device for memory management for a browser according to implementations. The device has functions for implementing operations in the above method implementations. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software with the hardware. The device includes a browser running module  501 , a memory monitoring module  502 , and a memory releasing module  503 . The browser running module  501  is configured to run the browser. The memory monitoring module  502  is configured to monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser, during running of the browser. The memory releasing module  503  is configured to release redundant memory of the browser upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser. 
     As such, according to the technical solutions of the disclosure, during running of the browser, monitor whether an operating system of a terminal running the browser fails to allocate memory to the browser. Upon monitoring that the operating system fails to allocate the memory to the browser, the redundant memory of the browser is released in time. As such, there will always be sufficient available memory for the browser, which can avoid the slow response or even failure of the browser due to insufficient memory, so as to improve the performance of the browser 
     In at least one implementation based on the implementations in  FIG. 5 , the redundant memory includes one or more of the following: memory occupied by a kernel of the browser, memory occupied during picture decoding, memory occupied by scripts, memory occupied by CSS, memory occupied during script parsing, or memory occupied by a GPU. 
     In at least one implementation based on the implementations in  FIG. 5 , the device further includes a restarting module (not illustrated). The restarting module is configured to restart a target object in the browser according to a running mode of the browser. 
     In some implementations, the running mode of the browser is a multi-process mode and the restarting module is configured to restart a target process of the browser, where the target process is a process other than a main process of the browser. 
     In other implementations, the running mode of the browser is a single-process and multi-thread mode, and the restarting module is configured to restart a target thread of the browser, where the target thread is a thread other than a main thread of the browser. 
     In at least one implementation, the device further includes a number-of-times detecting module (not illustrated). The number-of-times detecting module is configured to detect whether a number of times of releasing the redundant memory of the browser is less than a preset number. The restarting module is configured to proceed to restarting the target object in the browser according to the running mode of the browser based on a determination that the number of times is not less than the preset number. 
     In at least one implementation based on the implementations in  FIG. 5 , the browser running module is configured to: obtain memory information of the terminal upon receiving a running instruction for the browser, where the memory information is indicative of a memory size; determine a running mode of the browser according to the memory information obtained; run the browser according to the running mode of the browser. 
     In at least one implementation, the browser running module  501  configured to determine the running mode of the browser according to the memory information obtained is configured to: determine that the running mode of the browser is a multi-process mode when the memory size indicated by the memory information is greater than a first threshold, or determine that the running mode of the browser is a single-process and multi-thread mode when the memory size is less than a second threshold, where the first threshold is greater than the second threshold. 
     It should be noted that, when the device provided in the above implementations realizes functions of the device, the division of the above functional modules is only used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be achieved by different functional modules as required, that is, internal structures of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. In addition, the device described above and method implementations belong to the same concept, and for technical details not described, reference may be made to the method implementations, which will not be repeated herein. 
       FIG. 6  is a structural block diagram illustrating a terminal according to implementations. The terminal provided herein includes one or more of the following components: at least one processor (such as a processor  610 ) and a non-transitory computer readable storage (such as a memory  620 ). 
     The processor  610  may include at least one core processing unit. The processor  610  is configured to connect various parts of the entire terminal through various interfaces and lines, and to execute various functions of the terminal and process data by running or executing instructions, programs, code sets, or instruction sets stored in the memory  620  and invoking data stored in the memory  620 . The processor  610  can be implemented in at least one hardware form of digital signal processing (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and programmable logic array (PLA). For example, the processor  610  can be integrated with a central processing unit (CPU) and/or a modem, where the CPU is mainly configured to handle an operating system, applications, and so on, and the modem is mainly configured to process wireless communication. It will be appreciated that the modem mentioned above can also be implemented by a single chip without being integrated into the processor  610 . 
     The processor  601  is configured to invoke the program instructions stored in the memory  620  to perform the method for memory management for a browser provided by the above-mentioned method implementations. For example, the processor  601  is configured to invoke the program instructions stored in the memory  620  to control the browser to perform part or all of operations described in the above method. 
     The memory  620  may include a random access memory (RAM), or may include a read-only memory (ROM). In one example, the memory  620  includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory  620  is configured to store instructions, programs, codes, code sets, or instruction sets. The memory  620  may include a program storage region and a data storage region, where the program storage region is used for storing instructions for implementing the operating system, instructions for at least one function, instructions for implementing the foregoing method implementations, and the like. The data storage region is used for storing data created according to the use of the terminal, and the like. 
     The structure of the above terminal is only illustrative. In actual implementation, the terminal may include more or fewer components, such as a fingerprint sensor, and the like. The disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the terminal  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6  does not constitute any limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or may combine certain components, or may adopt different arrangements of components. 
     Implementations further provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer programs. The computer programs, when loaded and executed by a processor of a server, are operable with the processor to perform operations in the method implementations described above. 
     In one example, the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can be ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc. 
     Implementations further provide a computer program product. The computer program product, when executed, is configured to implement the functions of operations in the method implementations described above. 
     In the description of the disclosure, “multiple/a plurality of/a number of” means two or more than two. The term “and/or” describes relationships of associated objects, indicating that there may be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B can indicate following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character “/” generally indicates that associated objects are in an “or” relationship. 
     The serial numbers of the foregoing implementations of the disclosure are merely for description, and do not intended to limit the disclosure. 
     The foregoing illustrates some exemplary implementations of the disclosure, and does not limit the disclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the disclosure shall fall within the scope of protection of the disclosure.