Everything About ___
Live briefing

Everything about Buddy memory allocation

Computer algorithm

The buddy memory allocation technique is a memory allocation algorithm that divides memory into partitions to try to satisfy a memory request as suitably as possible. This system makes use of splitting memory into halves to try to give a best fit. According to Donald Knuth, the buddy system was invented in 1963 by Harry Markowitz, and was first described by Kenneth C. Knowlton. The Buddy memory allocation is relatively easy to implement. It supports limited but efficient splitting and coalescing of memory blocks. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Buddy memory allocationA 5-minute orientation
  2. Pick up a classic book: An introduction to data structures with applicationsThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  3. Read the landmark paper: Memory fragmentation in buddy methods for dynamic storage allocationCited 18 times
  4. Go sideways: Memory managementA closely related topic
  5. Go sideways: Fragmentation (computing)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A form of memory allocation that divides memory into partitions to try to satisfy a memory request as suitably as possible.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Algorithm
  2. Implementation and efficiency

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics