cache block ==>
cache line
<storage> (Or cache block) The smallest unit of memory than can be
transferred between the main memory and the cache.
Rather than reading a single word or byte from main memory at a time, each cache
entry is usually holds a certain number of words, known as a "cache line" or
"cache block" and a whole line is read and cached at once. This takes advantage
of the principle of locality of reference: if one location is read then nearby
locations (particularly following locations) are likely to be read soon
afterward. It can also take advantage of page-mode DRAM which allows faster
access to consecutive locations.
(1997-01-21)
Nearby terms:
cache conflict « cache consistency « cache hit « cache
line » cache memory » cache miss » Cache On A STick
