[R] Managing memory on R

[Jason Turner]

ZABALZA-MEZGHANI Isabelle wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I have a problem with the memory size within R. I would like to know if
> there is any may for getting back free memory during a R session. I've tried
> with rm and gc but it still craches. I am working on windows R1.3.1.
> I know I have big datasets, but during my study, some results are temporary,
> and I would like to get back the memory allocated to this temporary object
> as soon as I remove them. But, as I 've said the garbage collector seems to
> have no effect on my memory management.
> 

1) Update R.  1.3.1 is over two years old.

2) What do you mean by "crashes"?  Is the behaviour the same under the 
latest version of R?

3) R can release memory, but it can't force the operating system to 
start using it again.  gc() only speeds up the release of memory by R; 
it doesn't change what the operating system does.

4) Windows is reported to have more trouble with the management of large 
memory than Unix or Unix-like systems.  Have you tried the same under 
Solaris / FreeBSD / Linux?

Hope that helps

Jason

-- 
Indigo Industrial Controls Ltd.
http://www.indigoindustrial.co.nz
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