SyStem, architecture> The range of addreSSeS which a proceSSor or proceSS can acceSS, or at which a device can be acceSSed. The term may refer to either phySical addreSS or virtual addreSS. The Size of a proceSSor' S addreSSSpace dependS on the width of the proceSSor' SaddreSS buS and addreSSregiSterS. Each device, Such aS a memory integrated circuit, will have itS own local addreSSSpace which StartS at zero. ThiS will be mapped to a range of addreSSeS which StartS at Some baSe addreSS in the proceSSor' S addreSSSpace. Similarly, each proceSS will have itS own addreSSSpace, which may be all or a part of the proceSSor' S addreSSSpace. In a multitaSkingSyStem thiS may depend on where in memory the proceSS happenS to have been loaded. For a proceSS to be able to run at any addreSS it muSt conSiSt of poSition-independent code. Alternatively, each proceSS may See the Same local addreSSSpace, with the {memory management unit} mapping thiS to the proceSS' S own part of the proceSSor' S addreSSSpace. (1999-11-01)
