Memory assignment method for computer based systems

Claim 1

A memory assignment method used with a memory arrangement wherein data is stored in appropriate ones of a number of discrete memory files and each file has an assigned amount of blocks of memory exclusively associated therewith for the storage of data in the memory file, and using said assignment method blocks of memory unassigned to any file are automatically assigned to memory files as needed, said memory assignment method comprising the steps of: keeping a first record of blocks of memory that have not been assigned to any memory file, keeping a second record of blocks of memory assigned for the exclusive use in each file but that have not yet been used for the storage of data, analyzing said second record to locate a first memory file wherein the quantity of unused blocks of memory exclusively associated therewith is below a predetermined level, locating in said first record of blocks of memory that have not been assigned to any memory file, a quantity of memory blocks to be dedicated to the exclusive use of said first memory file when it is below said predetermined level, and dedicating said located blocks of memory to the exclusive use of said first memory file. 2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of: storing a number that indicates the quantity of memory blocks to be dedicated to the exclusive use of said first memory file. 3. The method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising the step of: modifying said first record after said located blocks of memory are dedicated to said first memory file to reflect the fact that the number of blocks of memory that have not yet been assigned to any memory file has been decreased by a quantity of memory blocks equal to said stored number. 4. The method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising the step of: modifying said second record after said located blocks of memory are dedicated to said first memory file to reflect the fact that the number of blocks of memory that have been assigned to said first memory file has been increased by a quantity of memory blocks equal to said stored number. 5. The method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising the step of: keeping a third record of blocks of memory assigned for the exclusive use in each of the discrete memory files. 6. The method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising the step of: modifying said third record after said located blocks of memory are dedicated to said first memory file to reflect the fact that the number of blocks of memory that have been assigned to said first memory file has been increased by a quantity of memory blocks equal to said number. 7. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of: generating a request to extend the memory block size of said first memory file when the number of unused memory blocks exclusively dedicated to the use of said first file falls below said predetermined level, and said step of locating in said first record of blocks of memory that have not been assigned to any memory file, a quantity of memory blocks to be dedicated to the exclusive use of said first memory file is performed responsive to said generated signal. 8. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein each block of memory has a first space therein for storing information regarding what file, if any, each block of memory has been dedicated to, and further comprising the step of: writing in said first space of said located blocks of memory the identity of said first memory file when said quantity of unassigned memory blocks is dedicated to the exclusive use of said first memory file.