mem(7) mem(7)
NAME
mem, kmem - core memory
DESCRIPTION
The file /dev/mem is a special file that is an image of the core
memory of the computer. It may be used, for example, to examine, and
even to patch the system.
Byte addresses in /dev/mem are interpreted as memory addresses. Refer-
ences to non-existent locations cause errors to be returned.
Examining and patching device registers is likely to lead to unex-
pected results when read-only or write-only bits are present.
The file /dev/kmem is the same as /dev/mem except that kernel virtual
memory rather than physical memory is accessed.
NOTES
Some of /dev/kmem cannot be read because of write-only addresses or
unavailable memory addresses.
FILES
/dev/mem
/dev/kmem
Page 1 Reliant UNIX 5.44 Printed 11/98