linear address space

1 definition found

linear address space - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  linear address space
  
     A memory addressing scheme used in processors where the whole
     memory can be accessed using a single address that fits in a
     single register or instruction.  This contrasts with a
     segmented memory architecture, such as that used on the
     Intel 8086, where an address is given by an offset from a
     base address held in one of the "segment registers".  Linear
     addressing greatly simplifies programming at the assembly language
      level but requires more instruction word bits to be
     allocated for an address.
  
     (1995-02-16)