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Re: Kernel exits (for lack of memory)

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg128137] Re: Kernel exits (for lack of memory)
• From: Joseph Gwinn <joegwinn at comcast.net>
• Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:41:59 -0400 (EDT)
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• References: <k2s2re$dq5$1@smc.vnet.net> <k368j5$1ud$1@smc.vnet.net>

In article <k368j5$1ud$1 at smc.vnet.net>, dgolber at aol.com wrote:

> I am already storing partial results, which lets me make progress on this 
> problem.
> 
> In looking at MemoryInUse, I found the following interesting behavior:
> 
> Mathematica 4 running directly on Windows XP.
> 
> The notebook below fits a 2-parameter curve (a simple Bezier curve) to some 
> data.
> 
> The module "error" finds the total sum-of-squares of distances from the data 
> points to a curve.  The main cell (not a module) uses FindMinimum to vary the 
> curve parameters to minimize the error.
> 
> The "error" module prints MemoryInUse  each time it is entered.  
> 
> The main cell is run twice (two completely distinct copies).  The first time 
> it is run, we see MemoryInUse building up from about one MB to 25 MB, as (I 
> assume) FindMinimum builds up its search context.
> 
> The second time it is called, MemoryInUse starts aleady at 25 MB!  In other 
> words, even though the (first) use of FindMinimum is completely over, the 
> memory it used is still shown in MemoryInUse.
> 
> What is going on?

The Out[] variables are storing all results, just in case you ask for 
them.

Set $HistoryLength to zero to turn this off.

One can also Clear[] intermediate variables to reduce memory footprint.

Joe Gwinn