Parallel free storage management method and device

Claim 2

A parallel storage allocation method in which a distribution section including a series of allocators controls the allocation of memory spaces in a memory section, wherein each memory space which is available for use is associated with a respective allocator and stores an identifier for the respective allocator, data identifying allocators not in use is stored, a list of allocators associated with spaces which are available for use is stored, a check is made each time a memory space is no longer in use to determine the allocator identifier of any space which is available for use and can be combined with the memory space which is no longer in use, a liberate space data is generated when a space is no longer in use, the liberate space data including a first identifier which is the identifier of an allocator selected from the allocators not in use and a second identifier which is the identifier of the allocator related to any space which can be combined with the space which is no longer in use, the distribution section reviews the second identifier and looks in the said list for the allocator associated with the second identifier and, if the list does not contain the associated allocator, enters the allocator associated with the first identifier in the list with appropriate space identifying data to indicate that the space which was in use is now available for use, but, if the list does contain the associated allocator, generates combine space data which results firstly in the spaces being combined and secondly in the allocator associated with the first identifier being entered in the list with space identifying data appropriate to the combined space.

Claim 3

A parallel storage allocation method according to claim 1, in which spaces are defined by consecutive series of addresses in the memory section.

Claim 4

A parallel storage allocation method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the said list of allocators is formed by storing in respect of each allocator the allocator identifier, the size and start address of the space available for use to which the allocator relates, and the identifiers of allocators which occupy adjacent positions thereto in the said list, the list being searched by looking at each allocator in turn and following the list by reference to the stored adjacent allocator data.

Claim 5

A parallel storage allocation device having a distribution section including a series of allocators, and a memory section in which the allocation of memory spaces is controlled by the distribution section, the device comprising means for storing in each memory space which is available for use a respective allocator identifier, means for storing data identifying allocators not in use, means for storing a list of allocators associated with spaces which are available for use, means for detecting when a memory space is no longer in use, means for determining the allocator identifier of any space which is available for use and can be combined with a detected memory space which is no longer in use, means for generating liberate space data related to a detected memory space which is no longer in use, the liberate space data comprising a first identifier which is the identifier of an allocator selected from the allocators not in use and a second identifier which is the identifier of the allocator related to any space which can be combined with the space which is no longer in use, means for searching the said stored list for the second identifier, means for entering the allocator associated with the first identifier in the list with appropriate space identifying data if the second identifier is not found in the searched list, means for generating combine space data if the second identifier is not found in the searched list, means responsive to the combine space data firstly to combine the spaces related to the first and second identifiers and secondly to enter the allocator associated with the first identifier in the said list with space identifying data appropriate to the combined list.

Claim 6

A parallel storage allocation device having a distribution section including a series of allocators, and a memory section in which the allocation of memory spaces is controlled by the distribution section, the device comprising means for storing in each memory space which is available for use a respective allocator identifier, means for storing data identifying allocators not in use, means for storing a list of allocators associated with spaces which are available for use, means for detecting when a memory space is no longer in use, means for determining the allocator identifier of any space which is available for use and can be combined with a detected memory space which is no longer in use, means for generating liberate space data related to a detected memory space which is no longer in use, the liberate space data comprising a first identifier which is the identifier of an allocator selected from the allocators not in use and a second identifier which is the identifier of the allocator related to any space which can be combined with the space which is no longer in use, means for searching the said stored list for the second identifier, means for entering the allocator associated with the first identifier in the list with appropriate space identifying data if the second identifier is not found in the searched list, means for generating combine space data if the second identifier is not found in the searched list, means responsive to the combine space data firstly to combine the spaces related to the first and second identifiers and secondly to enter the allocator associated with the first identifier in the said list with space identifying data appropriate to the combined list.