6.4   CACHE MEMORY

A computer processor is very fast and is constantly reading information from memory, which means it often has to wait for the information to arrive, because the memory access times are slower than the processor speed. Cache memory is small, temporary, but fast memory that the processor uses for information it is likely to need again in the very near future.

Noncomputer examples of caching are all around us. Keeping them in mind will help you to understand computer memory caching. Think of a homeowner with a very large tool chest in the garage. Suppose you are this homeowner and have a home improvement project to work on in the basement. You know this project will require drills, wrenches, hammers, a tape measure, several ...

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