Ring buffer
Also: circular buffer
Fixed storage whose read or write index wraps from the end back to the start.
Modulo indexing bounds memory; full-state representation determines whether new data overwrite old data or are rejected.
- Formula
next = (index + 1) mod capacity
Example An eight-slot history retains the newest eight samples in overwrite mode.
Common misconception Ring buffers do not inherently guarantee thread safety or a particular overflow policy.