How to increase memory allowed for an application

Question

How to increase memory allowed for an application

Before in OS 9 and below we can expand the quantity of memory for an application, we can't do same in OS X.
OS X is able to set himself the amount of memory for an application. This seems to work but I think there is a limit sets by OS X.

My question is how to increase this amount of memory ?

I tried to increase it in terminal using "ulimit -d unlimited" but this is not working enough.

I use to do calculation with matrix systems and iterations in Mapple software but on my iMac with 4 GB of RAM memory, when application reaches 450 MB, I get a memory error message. Activity monitor at same time says there is more than 2 GB free !

Has somebody a solution to free this limit, even for a small time or for only an application ?

Thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro and iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.1), Hardware and software reseller

Posted on Oct 8, 2009 12:05 AM

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Answer 1

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Oct 8, 2009 4:31 AM in response to Bertrand (Fr)

You don't. A Mac OS X program has essentially unlimited memory to work with. Of course, the installed RAM on your machine and the free disk space will impose real-world limits, and the more data that is being paged in and out the slower your machine will go.

If you're getting memory errors from your Mapple software, you need to contact the manufacturers of that software. I haven't seen a memory error for a very long time...

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Answer 2

Oct 8, 2009 6:11 AM in response to Bertrand (Fr)

Is the application itself throwing the error? My immediate impression is that this is an application limitation/fault or an erroneous message similar to Windows saying you're out of memory resources when in fact there's plenty of free RAM but the allocation page-pool for the kernel has been depleted (how is an end-user supposed to understand what that means)?

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Answer 3

Oct 8, 2009 7:02 AM in response to thomas_r.

Thank for your help,

I've asked Mapple what to do !

Their response was that this limit was due by OS and not by Mapple.

This works fine with Windows, they have special instructions in scripting language to enlarge memory use. This works with Windows, not with OS X.

For memory, I can see the use of memory when running Mapple script, it grows from 0 to 438 MB and then gives an error. The disk is 640 GB large and only 45 GB are in use, memory is 4 GB and Mapple is the only process running at this time (except of Mac OS X process and session processes).

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Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Oct 8, 2009 7:13 AM in response to Bertrand (Fr)

Their response was that this limit was due by OS and not by Mapple.

Then they know squat about the Mac and you should think twice about using their product.

For memory, I can see the use of memory when running Mapple script, it grows from 0 to 438 MB and then gives an error.

I currently have Photoshop Elements using 771.6 MB. As I said, there is no OS-imposed limit (or, at least, not one that you are anywhere remotely close to).

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Answer 5

Oct 8, 2009 7:28 AM in response to thomas_r.

I'm sure that you are right and I've the same idea. I only say what Mapple says.

Mapple for Mac OS X is not a full priority for Mapple.

My friend use this software for a very long time, he has finished his working time since many years and has always used Mapple (more than 10 years as non professionnal).
This will be a too long job and to difficult task to learn some new software, script again all the studies he has done for a new software.

I've made all my studies has engineer and will not be able to follow or continue his tasks. The only thing I can do is helping this friend to manage his Mac and try to help him reach his aim.

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Oct 8, 2009 7:43 AM in response to Bertrand (Fr)

I'm not familiar with any software titled "Mapple". Do you perhaps mean Maple?

In any case, it's an error in the programming of the application. It would appear that either 1)the developers do not correctly understand memory allocation in Mac OS X, 2) haven't updated their application for changes in later versions of the OS, or 3) you're running an old version that's not compatible. If you are indeed running Maple, if you're not running 13.0.1, the latest version, updating may help.

Regards.

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Answer 7

Oct 13, 2009 9:16 AM in response to varjak paw

The full message is :
"Kernel connection has been lost. The kernel returned the following message :
Execution stopped : Memory allocation failed.
Please sea ?alloc for more detail.

You should save this worksheet and restart Maple

Executing commands in Mapple requires a connection to the Maple kernel.

Firewalls have been known to cause problems with kernel connections in Maple. Please ensure that any firewall software is configured to allow Maple to create connections to the kernel. Consul the FAQ for more information."

I checked the firewalls of OS X, they are shutdown and no restrictions seems to be set for processes.

We are expecting for a new version of Maple with some modifications due to Snow.

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Answer 8

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Oct 8, 2009 7:42 AM in response to MuddyBulldog

Text removed; responded to wrong poster.

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