We trained the DNC on a copy problem, in which a series of 10 random sequences was presented as input. After each input sequence was presented, it was recreated as output. Once the output was generated, that input sequence was not needed again and could be erased from memory. We used a DNC with a feedforward controller and a memory of 10 locations—insufficient to store all 50 input vectors with no overwriting. The goal was to test whether the memory allocation system would be used to free and re-use locations as needed. As shown by the read and write weightings, the same locations are repeatedly used. The free gate is active during the read phases, meaning that locations are deallocated immediately after they are read from. The allocation gate is active during the write phases, allowing the deallocated locations to be re-used.