cache-line
UK[ˈkæʃ laɪn]US[ˈkæʃ laɪn]
n
A fixed-size block of data that is transferred between the main memory and the cache memory of a computer processor.
n
The basic unit of storage and management in a cache memory hierarchy.
Morpheme Breakdown
cache
line
cache
store
line
unit
Etymology
The term is a modern compound from two distinct linguistic streams. "Cache" entered English from French in the 18th century, originally meaning a hiding place for provisions, and its core sense of concealed storage was perfectly adapted for the hidden, high-speed memory in computing. "Line," with its Old English and Latin lineage, evolved from a physical mark or series to a conceptual unit of organization. In "cache-line," these elements combine with transparent logic: the "line" represents the fundamental, organized block of data, while "cache" specifies its purpose and location within the concealed, fast-access storage system of a processor.
Analysis
Structure: cache (store) + line (unit)
cache: From French 'cacher' (to hide, conceal). In computing, it refers to a hardware or software component that stores data for faster future access.
line: From Old English 'līne' (cord, rope, series). In computing, it often denotes a sequence or a unit of data.
Examples
The processor fetches data from main memory in whole cache-lines to improve efficiency.
A conflict miss occurs when two frequently accessed memory blocks map to the same cache-line.
The size of a cache-line is a critical design parameter for system performance.