Memory Access Patterns

Memory access patterns refer to the way programs read and write data in a computer's memory. They can be sequential, where data is accessed in order (like reading a book), or random, where data is accessed in a scattered, unpredictable manner (like jumping between chapters). Efficient memory access patterns improve performance since computers are geared to handle sequential access faster due to how they cache data. Understanding these patterns helps programmers optimize software to run more efficiently by minimizing delays and maximizing the speed of data retrieval.