Apparatus and method for swapping blocks of memory between a main memory

Abstract

A method and system for swapping blocks of data between a main memory area and a secondary storage area of a computer system that uses absolute addresses as its native addressing format. A series of linked information structures is maintained in the main memory area of the computer system. Each information structure allocates storage for a near return address pointer, a previous information structure pointer, a reference number and an offset. A first and second data block are swapped into the main memory area of the computer system. When the first data block transfers control to the second data block, a memory location indicating an absolute address for this point of transfer is stored in an information structure associated with the first data block. Prior to swapping the first data block out of the main memory area, the absolute address is resolved into a reference number and an offset. This resolved address is then stored in an information structure associated with the first data block. When the first data block is swapped back into the main memory area, the resolved address is restored into a new absolute address which directs processing control to a proper return point in the first data block.