Method and apparatus for buffer partitioning without loss of data

The present invention relates generally to the data storage in buffers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for partitioning an active buffer without loss of data stored in the buffer. An apparatus and method for moving and/or resizing logical buffers that comprise a memory space without the loss of data. Each buffer comprises a linear and contiguous set of storage locations, and operates according to a FIFO priority scheme, using a read address pointer to indicate the location from which data is read from the buffer and a write address pointer indicating the address into which data is written. A buffer is relocated or resized within the memory space by changing the base location address (defining the lowest storage location comprising the buffer) and/or the top location address (defining the highest memory location within the buffer) into free storage locations. To accomplish this relocation or resizing without the loss of data, the read address is first checked to determine if it bears an appropriate relationship to the new base and top memory locations.