What is DMA?

DMA stands for Direct Memory Access, a feature in computer systems and devices that allows for the direct transfer of data between peripherals and memory without needing intervention from the CPU. DMA significantly improves data transfer efficiency by bypassing the CPU, which would otherwise have to handle each transfer step-by-step. By directly accessing memory, peripherals like hard drives, graphics cards, and network interface cards are able to quickly move data without slowing down the overall performance of the system. This helps to reduce latency, enhance multitasking capabilities, and improve overall system responsiveness. DMA is an important technology that plays a key role in optimizing data transfer within computers and enhancing their performance.

This mind map was published on 8 November 2023 and has been viewed 83 times.