LinuxQuestions.org - what is difference between hardware cache and slab cache?

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what is difference between hardware cache and slab cache?

Hi,

I am reading slab allocator, it defines slab cache, i am quite confuse is it same as hardware cache?

A hardware cache is physical ram, placed close to (usually) the cpu for speed of access. Usually running subroutines and possible jump points get loaded there. Hardware.

A slab cache is a way of allocating or organizing in memory - non necessarily cache memory. Software. But you're reading and I'm rusty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurin (Post 4167474)

is it same as hardware cache?

That is easy to answer: NO!

"Cache" is a concept used at many levels in hardware and software. So the fact that you see the word "cache" in two different things should not lead you to suspect they are the same thing.

I don't feel like digging up a good description of either "slab cache" or "hardware cache". Other than the fundamental Hardware vs. Software, I don't really agree with the descriptions business_kid posted.

But even very bad descriptions of those two kinds of "cache" (that you might find with any kind of search) should tell you they aren't at all the same thing.