Process
A process is an instance of a program running in a computer.It is loaded in the memory of the computer and can be executed in the CPU.
The running process differs from the program name because the program name typically refers to the static executable file, while the running process represents the dynamic instance of that program in execution. When a program is executed, the operating system allocates resources, such as memory and CPU time, creating a unique process with its own state, variables, and execution context. This distinction allows multiple instances of the same program to run simultaneously, each as separate processes with independent execution paths.
The instructions have to remain in memory at all times while the program is running. They get there by loading the entire program into memory. The CPU's instruction registers keep track of the current instruction and the next instruction.
A disk file used to temporarily save a program or part of a program running in memory
cache memory
Virtual memory is a way of allocated extra space from your hard drive as RAM space. For instance, if you are running a program which is memory intensive such as Photoshop and you don't have enough RAM to handle all the temporary memory requirements, but you have a few extra gigs of space on your hard drive, you can set your Virtual Memory to 2 or 3 GB's to help balance the load.
Running a program is often referred to as "executing" the program. During execution, the computer processes the program's instructions, performing tasks as defined by the code. This involves loading the program into memory and utilizing the CPU to carry out its operations.
RAM--Random Access Memory.
This depends on the Operating System. For some yes, for others no. Some very old multiuser timesharing Operating Systems running on computers with very limited amounts of memory had a way to load a program once, but run many instances of it without having to reload it again. Modern computers with large memories and virtual memory have no need for this and simply reload the program every time another instance is needed. But as I already said, some Operating Systems cannot run more than one instance of any program at a time.
The computer desktop encyclopedia saysIn object technology, to create an object of a specific class(1) A single copy of a running program. Multiple instances of a program mean that the program has been loaded into memory several times. (2) In object technology, a member of a class; for example, "Lassie" is an instance of the class "dog." When an instance is created, the initial values of its instance variables are assigned.
DMA or Direct Memory Access is the process of getting memory (RAM) without using the CPU. It is turned on based on the program you are running. It is used for things like making sounds while a game is running or for moving data from a floppy and hard drives into RAM. So the program you are running will determine if DMA is used, it does not matter if it is a floppy.
A variable is made up of a name (identifier) that represents a value stored in a computer's memory. It consists of a memory location where data can be stored and manipulated in a program. The value assigned to a variable can change during program execution.