What is the primary purpose of paging in memory management?

The primary purpose of paging in memory management is to break memory into fixed-size blocks, known as pages. This technique allows the operating system to manage memory more efficiently by using smaller units, which helps in avoiding issues like fragmentation. By dividing memory into these fixed-size pages, the operating system can store them in non-contiguous locations in physical memory. This flexibility allows for better utilization of memory and facilitates the allocation and deallocation processes.

Additionally, paging contributes to a simplified memory management model because it allows processes to use virtual memory that does not need to be contiguous in physical memory. This means that processes can be loaded into any available memory, thereby optimizing the use of physical resources. This system can also enhance system stability and performance, allowing for smoother multitasking and better resource allocation among multiple processes.