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Global Descriptor Table
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<p>The Global Descriptor Table (GDT) is a core part of <a href="/facts/Intel/SMF0gJJX">Intel</a>'s <a href="/facts/X86/Kypq5fgu">x86</a> architecture that helps manage how memory is accessed and protected. Introduced with the Intel <a href="/facts/80286/rucEU93g">80286</a> processor, it plays a key role in defining <a href="/facts/X86_memory_segmentation/7yD0VGfy">memory segments</a> and their attributes: the base address, the size, and access privileges like executability and writability. </p><p>Even though modern <a href="/facts/64-bit/AgvkQHkM">64-bit</a> systems rarely rely on segmentation, the GDT remains a required component for starting up the <a href="/facts/Processor_(computing)/z3wPljrI">processor</a> and managing certain system-level tasks. </p>