What is computer memory?
The computer memory is one of the most important elements in a computer system. It stores data instructions required during the processing of data and gives output results. Storage may be required for a limited period of time ⌚instantly or for an extended period of time. It also relates to many devices that are responsible for storing data on a temporary or a permanent basis.
Memory is most often referred to as the primary/internal storage on a computer system, such as RAM. Memory is also where information is processed. It enables users to access data that is stored for a short time. The data is only stored for a short time because primary memory is volatile, meaning it isn't retained when the computer is turned off.
There are two types of memory as follows:-
1.Volatile memory:- It is memory that loses its contents when the
computer or hardware device loses power. Computer RAM is an example of volatile memory.
It is why if your computer freezes or reboots when working on a program, you lose anything that hasn't been saved.
2.Non-volatile memory:- It sometimes referred as NVRAM,
is memory that keeps its contents even if the power is lost. EPROM is an example of non-volatile memory.
Memory Hierarchy:-
The hierarchical arrangement of storage in current computer 💻 architecture is called the memory hierarchy. The computer system uses a hierarchy of memory that is organised in a manner to enable the fastest speed and largest capacity of memory.
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The memory is characterised on the basis of two key factors:-
1.Capacity and
2.Access Time
Parameters of Memory:-
Some related parameters of memory are following:-
1.Access Modes:-
A memory is comprised of various memory locations. The information from these memory locations can be accessed randomly, sequentially and directly.
2.Storage Capacity:-
It is representative of the size of the memory. The capacity of internal memory or main memory can be expressed in terms of number and words of bytes.
3.Physical Characteristics:-
In this, the device can be categorised in into four main categories as electronic, magnetic, mechanical, and optical.
4.Access Time:-
The access time is the time required between the desired modes for a read/write operation till the data is made available or written at the desired location.
5.Permanence of Storage:-
It's permanence is high for future use in magnetic materials.
Memory Definition:-
Memory is the electronic holding place for the instructions and data a computer needs to reach quickly.
It's where information is stored for immediate use. Memory is one of the basic functions of a computer, because without
it, a computer would not be able to function properly.
Memory is also used by a computer's operating system, hardware and software.
There are two types of memory available in computers: first one is Primary and the other one is Secondary.
The term memory is used as a synonym for primary memory or as an abbreviation for a specific type of primary memory called random access memory (RAM). This type of memory is located on microchips that are physically close to a computer's microprocessor.
What is Secondary memory?
The secondary memory stores much larger amounts of data and information for extended periods of time. Data in secondary memory cannot be processed directly by the CPU, it must first be copied into primary memory ,i.e. RAM.
It is slower and cheaper form of memory. Secondary storage is used to store data and programs when they are not being processed. It is also known as non-volatile memory. Due to this ,the data remain in the secondary storage as long as it is not overwritten or deleted by the user. It is permanent storage.
The Secondary memory is a computer memory that is non-volatile memory in nature and is not directly accessed by a computer/processor. It allows a user to store data that may be instantly and easily retrieved, transported and used by applications and services.
Secondary memory is also known as external storage.
Secondary memory devices include as follows:-
1.Magnetic Storage:-
Magnetic storage is the manipulation of magnetic fields on a medium in order to record audio, video or other data. It includes hard disk drive ,floppy disk and magnetic tape.
2.Optical Storage:-
Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser. It includes CD,DVD and Blu-ray-disc.
3.Solid State Storage:-
Solid State storage is a type of storage technique that employs storage device built using silicon microchip based storage architecture. It includes pen, flash drive and memory card.
Note:-
This memory consists of all permanent storage devices, such as read-only memory (ROM), CD, DVD, Flash drives,
Hard disk drives (HDD), magnetic tapes and other types of internal/external storage. In computer operations, external memory is accessed only by the primary or main memory and later transported to the processor.
Secondary or External memory :-
Secondary memory is slower than primary memory but can store and retain data, even if the computer is not connected to electrical power. It also has substantial storage capacities, ranging from megabytes to several terabytes of storage space within single memory.
Secondary memory devices are less expensive when compared to primary memory devices.
It is a permanent memory. In a computer system the Secondary memory is not directly accessible by the CPU.
Examples: Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Magnetic Tapes, etc.
Types of memory:-
1.Primary memory or Main memory:-
The memory unit that communicate directly with the CPU is called main memory or primary memory or internal memory. The primary memory allows the computer to store data for immediate manipulation and to keep track of what is currently being processed. It has limited storage capacity.
Primary memory is volatile memory, which means that when the power is switched OFF, the data of this memory is lost forever.
It includes RAM,ROM etc.
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The operating system and applications are loaded into primary memory, since RAM can be accessed much faster than storage devices.
In fact, the data can be transferred between CPU and RAM more than a hundred times
faster than between the CPU and the hard drive.
By loading data into RAM, programs can run significantly faster and are much more responsive than
if than constantly accessed data from secondary memory.
NOTE: Primary memory is also called "internal storage" as well. Depending on the context, primary storage may also refer to internal storage devices, such as internal hard drives.
Apart from above memory, there is also some other memory that helps to primary memory which are as follows:-
- Cache Memory:-It is a storage buffer that stores the data which is used most often temporarily and makes them available to CPU at a fast rate. Cache Memory is a very high-speed memory placed in between RAM and CPU. It increases the speed of processing.
Cache Memory is very expensive ,so it is smaller in size. Generally Computers have cache memory of sizes 256toKB to 2MB.
- Virtual Memory:-It is a technique that allows the execution of processes that are not completely in main memory. One major advantage of this scheme is that programs can be larger than main memory.
Also read out Computer Processors:-
Click Here:- Computer Processors
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