computer memory and its type

 

Q-7. What is computer memory? Define different types of computer memory?

Ans.

Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily or permanently. Computer memory is the storage space in computer where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

Memory is primarily of three types

• Cache Memory
• Primary Memory/Main Memory (volatile Memory)
• Secondary Memory (Non-Volatile Memory)

 

Ø  Cache Memory- Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data access to a processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data. All the Recent Instructions are Stored into the Cache Memory. It is the fastest memory in a computer, and is typically integrated onto the motherboard and directly embedded in the processor or main random access memory (RAM). Cache memory is faster than main memory but it has limited capacity. It store data for temporary use.

 

Ø  Primary Memory – It holds only those data which computer is currently working. It has limited capacity and when the electricity disconnect then data is lost permanently. This memory is not fast as registered memory. It is generally made up for semiconductor device. It is divided into two categories. RAM and ROM. These memory are volatile memory it is faster than secondary memory, A computer cannot run without primary memory.

 

·         RAM is a type of memory which allows access to the stored data in any sequence and from any physical location within the memory. RAM can be read and written with new data. The main benefit of RAM is that it takes almost same time in accessing any data in it, irrespective of the location of data. This makes RAM a very fast memory. Computers can read from RAM very quickly and also they can write new data in RAM very quickly.

 

·         Data is written in ROM only once and permanently. After that, data can only be read by computers. Read only memory is often used to install the permanent instructions into a computer. These instructions will never change. ROM chips store the basic input/output system (BIOS) of a computer. It is slower than ram and it is smaller in size.

 

Ø Secondary Memory–This memory also called as external memory or non-volatile memory. It is slower than the main memory. These are used store data permanently. CPU directly does not access these memories instead they are access via input-output routine. Content of secondary memory firstly transferred to main memory and then CPU can access it.  For e.g.  Disk, CD, USB device data etc… in this memory data is permanently save electricity light disconnect or not.

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