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Replacement Algorithms

Replacement algorithms are strategies used to decide which data or item should be removed when a system's storage space—like a cache or memory—is full. Think of it as managing a bookshelf; when it's full and you get a new book, you need to choose one to remove. Different algorithms, such as Least Recently Used (LRU) or First-In-First-Out (FIFO), determine which item to discard based on usage patterns or order of entry. These algorithms aim to optimize performance by keeping the most useful or relevant data readily accessible while efficiently managing limited storage capacity.