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. References to non-existent locations cause
errors to be returned.
Examining and patching device registers is likely to lead to
unexpected 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.
FILES
/dev/mem
/dev/kmem
WARNING
Some of /dev/kmem cannot be read because of write-only
addresses or unequipped memory addresses.
BUGS
mem does not access addresses outside of physical RAM
memory; hence, no driver registers are available.
Page 1 May 1989