Locality of reference

In <a href="/facts/Computer_science/lN3pEyPz">computer science</a>, locality of reference, also known as the principle of locality, is the tendency of a processor to access the same set of memory locations repetitively over a short period of time. There are two basic types of reference locality – temporal and spatial locality. Temporal locality refers to the reuse of specific data and/or resources within a relatively small time duration. Spatial locality (also termed data locality) refers to the use of data elements within relatively close storage locations. Sequential locality, a special case of spatial locality, occurs when data elements are arranged and accessed linearly, such as traversing the elements in a one-dimensional <a href="/facts/Array_data_structure/BKGvF8AM">array</a>.
Locality is a type of <a href="/facts/Predictability/FNSpNGQF">predictable</a> behavior that occurs in computer systems. Systems that exhibit strong locality of reference are great candidates for performance optimization through the use of techniques such as the <a href="/facts/CPU_cache/x8BYFcdv">caching</a>, <a href="/facts/Prefetch_instruction/JRrVplfh">prefetching</a> for memory and advanced <a href="/facts/Branch_predictor/pGPhFMj5">branch predictors</a> of a processor core.

Locality of reference open-in-new

Locality of reference