Does storing environment variables in Windows cost memory or disk space or processor usage time?

Question

Why not cut down on the number of environment variables being used store only what is absolutely necessary?
Why dont they make laptops / tablet PCs have plug and play type procesors so you can add multiple processors and be able to "assign' processor-intensive or long running tasks to specific processors to free up the workload?

Answer 1

That's two questions!

1) Yes, environment variables take memory and disk space, but a very minisucule amount, really insignificant. It is approximately 50 bytes compared to the 2 GB a system typically has. That's analagous to a couple words in your 50 encyclopedia set.

2) PC's that handle multiple CPU's have a different architecture than ones that have single CPU's. It is not a simple matter of plugging in another CPU.

Answer 2

Hi!

In Windows variables are stored in both places, and they require little processor time and memory. They are accessed only when needed.

For instance, in Start>Run type "cmd" and then "set" to see some Windows variables. They are stored as paths (strings).

About the PnP CPU's: such devices come in various configurations. If one has a laptop but suddenly needs more CPU (processing) power, the, he may buy a second CPU (that is if you can afford it :) ) or a special dedicated CPU (quite hard to find) for a special (or several) task.

Good luck!