cache line


cache line

(storage)(Or cache block) The smallest unit of memory thancan be transferred between the main memory and the cache.

Rather than reading a single word or byte from main memory ata time, each cache entry is usually holds a certain number ofwords, known as a "cache line" or "cache block" and a wholeline is read and cached at once. This takes advantage of theprinciple of locality of reference: if one location is readthen nearby locations (particularly following locations) arelikely to be read soon afterward. It can also take advantageof page-mode DRAM which allows faster access toconsecutive locations.

cache line

The block of memory that is transferred to a memory cache. The cache line is generally fixed in size, typically ranging from 16 to 256 bytes. The effectiveness of the line size depends on the application, and cache circuits may be configurable to a different line size by the system designer. There are also numerous algorithms for dynamically adjusting line size in real time. See cache.