Why restarting the computer is the solution to (almost) all problems

When we are stuck with a problem, a usual strategy is to start over from scratch. Redoing the problem from the beginning allows us to avoid possible previous errors that may have gone unnoticed and have a better perspective of how and why the problem occurs.

In the field of technology, this strategy also applies.

Is your computer going slow or does it not respond? Try restarting the computer.

Doesn’t work the program? Kill it and run it again.

Let’s talk about why restarting the computer is such an effective solution.
First, a computer has two different types of memory:

• Non-volatile memory allows you to store data in the long term even when you turn off the computer. As a disadvantage, this type of memory is (comparatively) slow. Some examples can be a hard disk, an optical disc (CD, DVD or Bluray) or a USB stick.
• Volatile memory is very fast but it requires energy continuously to maintain its contents. Because of its speed, volatile memory is used as the working memory of the computer.

This working memory is managed by the operating system, which controls which processes are running and allocates a space to each process. Each process stores in this…