Direct Memory Access
Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a hardware feature that allows peripheral devices to transfer data directly to and from system memory without involving the CPU for each byte. This offloads data transfer tasks from the CPU, enabling it to perform other computations while data moves in the background. DMA is commonly used in high-speed I/O operations, such as disk drives, network cards, and graphics cards, to improve system performance and efficiency.
Developers should learn about DMA when working on performance-critical applications, embedded systems, or device drivers where efficient data handling is essential. It is particularly useful in scenarios involving large data transfers, real-time processing, or low-latency I/O operations, such as audio/video streaming, gaming, or industrial automation. Understanding DMA helps optimize resource usage and reduce CPU overhead in systems with high-throughput requirements.