Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Exam  >  Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Questions  >  Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A ... Start Learning for Free
Overlay is
  • a)
    A part of an operating system
  • b)
    A specific memory location
  • c)
    A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swapping
  • d)
    Overloading the system with many user files 
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc...
Overlay means “the process of transfers a block of program code or other data into internal memory, replacing what is already stored". Overlaying is a programming method that allows programs to be large than the computer’s main memory.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc...
Overlay

Definition
An overlay is a single contiguous block of memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swapping.

Explanation
When computers were first invented, the memory available was limited. Large programs could not be loaded into the memory at once. The solution was to divide the program into smaller parts and load them as needed. This process was called overlaying.

The overlay technique was used to load only the portion of the program that was needed at that time. The rest of the program was swapped out of memory and replaced with the next part of the program. This process continued until the entire program was executed.

Advantages
- The overlay technique allowed large programs to be run on computers with limited memory.
- The use of overlays reduced the cost of hardware required to run the program.

Disadvantages
- The overlay technique was complex and required significant programming effort.
- The execution of a program with overlays was slower than that of a program that could fit into memory all at once.

Conclusion
The overlay technique is no longer used today because modern computers have much larger memory capabilities. However, it was an important technique in the early days of computing that allowed large programs to be run on limited hardware.
Explore Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam

Top Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE)

Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) 2025 is part of Computer Science Engineering (CSE) preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam syllabus. Information about Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE). Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Overlay isa)A part of an operating systemb)A specific memory locationc)A single contiguous memory that was used in the olden days for running large programs by swappingd)Overloading the system with many user filesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Computer Science Engineering (CSE) tests.
Explore Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) exam

Top Courses for Computer Science Engineering (CSE)

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev