What does FPM mean in SOFTWARE

Fast Paged Mode (FPM) is an early computer memory management technique used in Intel x86-compatible processors to increase the amount of usable RAM on a system. It was primarily used in the 1980s and 90s. FPM allowed data to be stored in smaller pages, resulting in increased efficiency when accessing the memory needed to run applications.

Fast Paged Mode works by having the processor divide its addressable memory into a number of small pages, typically 4K or 8K bytes each. When an application needs access to a particular part of the system's memory, it can request it from the processor using a page number rather than specifying an exact address. The processor then reads the requested page from main memory and stores it in its cache so it can be accessed more quickly.

The primary benefit of using FPM is that it makes efficient use of available RAM by allowing applications to access only the parts of memory they need, rather than requiring them to store all their data in one large block. This increases system performance as there are fewer delays when accessing data due to limited RAM resources. Additionally, because pages are read from main memory into caches rather than directly from storage devices, storage space can be saved which reduces overall cost for larger systems.

As processors became faster and larger amounts of RAM became available, other methods such as paging, demand paging, virtual memory, and segmentation were developed which allowed for more efficient usage of available resources while increasing overall system performance. Eventually these methods supplanted FPM as users began to require more control over how their computers accessed and stored information.

Protected mode is a feature added to Intel x86-compatible processors beginning with the 80286 chip which allows programs running on them to have direct access to hardware such as ports and display adapters without requiring special privileges or instructions on DOS-based systems. It was designed as an upgrade from Fast Paged Mode (FPM) which had certain limitations when running programs that required direct hardware access.

Protected mode was introduced by Intel in order to improve compatibility between different types of software while also increasing security against malicious code running on a user’s machine. With protected mode enabled, operating systems could manage processes more effectively while preventing programs from overwriting other areas of memory or making unauthorized changes to hardware settings.

In general terms Real Mode/FPM will offer faster performance compared to Protected Mode since it does not impose any restrictions on how user programs interact with hardware but provides virtually no security against malicious code or programs overwriting other areas of memory; whereas Protected Mode offers stronger protection against malicious code and better control over program execution but requires users may experience some slowdown due to its increased security measures.

No, modern operating systems such as Windows 10 have replaced FPM with more advanced methods such as paging or segmentation for managing system resources because they offer improved reliability and higher levels of protection against threats like malicious code or unauthorized hardware access.

Yes, although most modern operating systems no longer use Fast Paged Mode (FPM), older hardware such as those based on 16 bit Intel x86 microprocessors may still support this form of memory management if legacy software has been written for these platforms.