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Memory As Part of A Computer System

The document explains the importance of memory in both human decision-making and computer operations, detailing the three types of computer memory: RAM (short-term), storage devices (long-term), and ROM (read-only). It describes how RAM functions as temporary storage for active data and programs, while ROM retains essential instructions and settings. Additionally, it categorizes storage solutions into temporary and permanent types, highlighting the differences between them.

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Siyamthanda Figlan
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5 views3 pages

Memory As Part of A Computer System

The document explains the importance of memory in both human decision-making and computer operations, detailing the three types of computer memory: RAM (short-term), storage devices (long-term), and ROM (read-only). It describes how RAM functions as temporary storage for active data and programs, while ROM retains essential instructions and settings. Additionally, it categorizes storage solutions into temporary and permanent types, highlighting the differences between them.

Uploaded by

Siyamthanda Figlan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Let us stick with the human body metaphor for now.

One essential component of the human body is still required


for decision-making, and that is memory. For instance, you don't need to perform any math to figure out that you
should keep your hands away from a burning fire. Rather, you retained that knowledge in your memory from the
experiences you had during your life. Thus, you can make decisions without having to calculate everything from
scratch.

In a similar way, a computer also needs a memory to store information. A computer has three important types of
memory. These are:
• RAM (short-term memory)
• storage devices (long-term memory)
• ROM (read-only memory).
In this unit, we briefly discuss each of these types of memory.

ROM

As you now know, the BIOS of the computer is kept in read-only memory, or ROM. Your computer's read-only
memory, as the name implies, can only be retrieved during regular operation; it cannot be overwritten or erased.
This stops the computer's operating instructions from being inadvertently deleted.

You might be wondering how a user's settings can be kept in "read-only" memory. The settings are stored on a
tiny piece of memory called the CMOS that is connected to the ROM because the ROM cannot be changed
normally. In contrast to the ROM, the CMOS requires power in order to retain its data. The CMOS is linked to a
tiny battery to guarantee that it keeps the BIOS settings in storage even after the computer is switched off and
unplugged.

RAM

Your short-term memory is essential for remembering the tasks you are working on in your daily life.
For instance, you must always be conscious that you are operating a motor vehicle. Even a brief
forgetting about this could lead to a dangerous mishap! Therefore, memories that are easily
retrieved are considered short-term memories.

RAM is where a computer stores all open programs and data that are being worked on right now. The
RAM can guarantee that your CPU has access to all the data it requires at the appropriate time
because of its close proximity to the CPU and its extremely fast read and write speeds. Your
computer would have to read and write all of the data it uses to your hard drive if it didn't have RAM,
which would be far slower. Your CPU would consequently have to wait a long time for the data to
load.
A RAM module
Examples of data stored in RAM include:

• data that is presently displayed on the screen.


• background-running programs.
• instructions that are occupying the computer.
• instructions that the computer may require later.
• data that the computer may require later.

Since RAM is only used for short-term memory storage, it is cleared the moment you turn off your computer.

TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT STORAGE

Computer memory and storage can generally be divided into two categories: solutions for temporary storage and
permanent storage. The computer usually controls temporary storage options directly, and when the computer is
shut off, all data is deleted from the temporary storage.

Temporary storage includes:

RAM: RAM, or random-access memory, stores data using a combination of transistors and capacitors. RAM is
short-term memory that is used to hold data that is currently being used by the computer. RAM is volatile since it
loses all of its contents when the computer is restarted.
Cache memory: CPU memory is another name for cache memory. It is incredibly quick and integrates directly
with the CPU to store tiny amounts of data that the CPU might require.
Disk cache memory: The CPU sends the data to the disk cache memory to be saved, saving it from having to
wait to be stored on a sluggish hard disk. The data is written from the disk cache to the hard drive, where it is
kept forever.

Permanent storage includes:

Magnetic: Hard disk drives and magnetic tape both store and retrieve data using magnetic properties. Large
volumes of data and programs can be permanently stored in this way, though it takes longer for the devices to
write and read the data than RAM does.
SSD (Solid State Drives): Similar to RAM, SSDs store data on a chip, which means that instead of using lasers
like DVD drives or magnetism like traditional hard drives, they store data using electricity. SSDs, on the other
hand, have permanent data storage capabilities. Compared to a hard disk drive, an SSD is more expensive but
also faster.
While flash drives and SSDs share the same technology, flash drives are intended to be portable storage
devices with smaller capacities.
Optical storage media: Data can be stored on inexpensive, portable media like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray disks.
These disks can hold a lot of data, but they read and write data more slowly than any of the earlier storage
formats.

The table below summarises the biggest differences between RAM, storage devices and ROM.
Differences between RAM, storage devices and ROM

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