Name : ch.

Sri Jyothi
Program : BBA(BA) IB
Course : BCS
Academic Year: 2024-25
 Computer Memory
Computer memory is the part of the system where data and instructions are stored, either temporarily
or permanently, to enable the computer to perform tasks. Computers use a binary numbering system to
represent and store data, which consists of 0's and 1's. These binary digits, called bits, are the smallest
unit of data in a computer. The use of 0's and 1's allows computers to work efficiently with digital
electronics, as these values represent the two states of an electrical circuit: on (1) and off (0).

How Computers Store Data

● Binary Representation: All data, whether it’s text, numbers, images, or videos, is converted
into a sequence of 0's and 1's for processing and storage.
● Bits and Bytes: A group of 8 bits forms a byte, which is the standard unit used to represent a
single character (like a letter or number) in a computer.
 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT FOR STORAGE:

Here are some units of measurement for computer storage:

Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes
Megabyte (MB): 1,024 kilobytes or 1,048,576 bytes
Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 megabytes
Terabyte (TB): 1,024 gigabytes
Petabyte (PB): Next unit after terabyte
Exabyte (EB): Next unit after petabyte
Zettabyte (ZB): Next unit after exabyte
Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

The memory is divided into large number of small parts called cells.

Each location or cell has a unique address, which varies from zero to memory size
minus one.

For example, if the computer has 64k words, then this memory unit has 64 * 1024
= 65536 memory locations. The address of these locations varies from 0 to 65535.

Memory is primarily of three types −

1. Cache Memory
2. Primary Memory/Main Memory
3. Secondary Memory
 Cache Memory
● Cache Memory is a special very high-speed memory.
● The cache is a smaller and faster memory that stores copies of the data from
frequently used main memory locations.
● There are various different independent caches in a CPU, which store instructions
and data.
● The most important use of cache memory is that it is used to reduce the average
time to access data from the main memory.
The advantages of cache memory are as follows −
1. Cache memory is faster than main memory.
2. It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
3. It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
4. It stores data for temporary use.

The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −

1. Cache memory has limited capacity.
2. It is very expensive.
 Primary Memory (Main Memory)

● Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on

which the computer is currently working.
● It has a limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched
off.
● It is generally made up of semiconductor device.
● These memories are not as fast as registers.
● The data and instruction required to be processed resides in the
main memory.
● It is divided into two subcategories
1. RAM
2. ROM.
Characteristics of Main Memory
● These are semiconductor memories.
● It is known as the main memory.
● Usually volatile memory.
● Data is lost in case power is switched off.
● It is the working memory of the computer.
● Faster than secondary memories.
● A computer cannot run without the primary memory.
 RAM (Random Access Memory)

● RAM (Random Access Memory) is the internal memory of the CPU for

storing data, program, and program result.

● It is a read/write memory which stores data until the machine is working.

● As soon as the machine is switched off, data is erased.

● RAM is of two types −

1. Static RAM (SRAM)
2. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
 Static RAM (SRAM)

● SRAM (static RAM) is a type of random access memory (RAM) that retains
data bits in its memory as long as power is being supplied.
● However, data is lost when the power gets down due to volatile nature.
● SRAM is commonly used for a computer's cache memory
● SRAM chips are often used in cell phones, wearables and other consumer
electronics.
● They also be embedded in medical products,such as hearing aids
● SRAM is used in toys, appliances, automobiles, industrial equipment and
a wide range of IoT devices(Connected cars,Smart appliances)
Characteristic of Static RAM

● Long life
● No need to refresh
● Faster
● Large size
● Expensive
● High power consumption
 Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
● Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a type of semiconductor memory that is
typically used for the data or program code needed by a computer processor to
function.
● DRAM is a common type of random access memory (RAM) used in personal
computers (PCs), workstations, and servers.

● Characteristics of Dynamic RAM

1. Short data lifetime
2. Needs to be refreshed continuously
3. Slower as compared to SRAM
4. Used as RAM
5. Smaller in size
6. Less expensive
7. Less power consumption
 Read-Only Memory (ROM)
● ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
● The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it.
● This type of memory is non-volatile.
● The information is stored permanently in such memories during manufacture.
● A ROM stores such instructions that are required to start a computer. This operation
is referred to as bootstrap.
● ROM chips are not only used in the computer but also in other electronic items like
washing machine and microwave oven.
Advantages of ROM

The advantages of ROM are as follows −

1. Non-volatile in nature
2. Cannot be accidentally changed
3. Cheaper than RAMs
4. Easy to test
5. More reliable than RAMs
6. Static and do not require refreshing
 Types Of Roms And Their Characteristics

MROM (Masked ROM)

● The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that contained a pre-programmed set of
data or instructions.
● These kind of ROMs are known as masked ROMs, which are inexpensive.

PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)

● PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user.
● The user buys a blank PROM and enters the desired contents using a PROM program.
● Inside the PROM chip, there are small fuses which are burnt open during programming.
● It can be programmed only once and is not erasable.
 EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
● EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light for a duration of up to 40 minutes.. During
programming, an electrical charge is trapped in an insulated gate region.
● The charge is retained for more than 10 years because the charge has no leakage path.
● For erasing this charge, ultraviolet light is passed through a quartz crystal window (lid).
● This exposure to ultraviolet light dissipates the charge.
● During normal use, the quartz lid is sealed with a sticker.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)

● EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically.
● It can be erased and reprogrammed about ten thousand times.
● Both erasing and programming take about 4 to 10 ms (millisecond).
● In EEPROM, any location can be selectively erased and programmed.
● EEPROMs can be erased one byte at a time, rather than erasing the entire chip.
● Hence, the process of reprogramming is flexible but slow.
 Secondary Memory
● A memory that has a larger storage capacity and from
which data and programs are not lost when the computer
is turned off. Such a type of memory is called secondary
memory.
● In secondary memory, programs and data are stored. It is
also called auxiliary memory.
● It is different from primary memory as it is not directly
accessible through the CPU and is non-volatile.
● Secondary or external storage devices have a much larger
storage capacity and the cost of secondary memory is less
as compared to primary memory.
Characteristics of Secondary Memory
1. These are magnetic and optical memories.
2. It is known as the backup memory.
3. It is a non-volatile memory.
4. Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.
5. It is used for storage of data in a computer.
6. Computer may run without the secondary memory.
7. Slower than primary memories.
 Floppy Disk
● A floppy disk consists of a magnetic disc in a
square plastic case.
● It is used to store data and to transfer data from one
device to another device.
● Floppy disks are available in two sizes (a) Size: 3.5
inches, the Storage capacity of 1.44 MB (b) Size:
5.25 inches, the Storage capacity of 1.2 MB.
● To use a floppy disk, our computer needs to have a
floppy disk drive.
● This storage device becomes obsolete now and has
been replaced by CDs, DVDs, and flash drives.
 Compact Disk
A Compact Disc (CD) is a commonly used secondary storage device. It
contains tracks and sectors on its surface. Its shape is circular and is made
up of polycarbonate plastic. The storage capacity of CD is up to 700 MB of
data.

A CD may also be called a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory),

in this computers can read the data present in a CD-ROM, but cannot write
new data onto it. For a CD-ROM, we require a CD-ROM. CD is of two
types:

● CD-R (compact disc recordable): Once the data has been written
onto it cannot be erased, it can only be read.
● CD-RW (compact disc rewritable): It is a special type of CD in
which data can be erased and rewritten as many times as we want. It
is also called an erasable CD.
 Digital Versatile Disc
Digital Versatile Disc: A Digital Versatile Disc also known as DVD it
is looks just like a CD, but the storage capacity is greater compared to
CD, it stores up to 4.7 GB of data. DVD-ROM drive is needed to use
DVD on a computer. The video files, like movies or video recordings,
etc., are generally stored on DVD and you can run DVD using the
DVD player. DVD is of three types:

● DVD-ROM(Digital Versatile Disc Readonly): In DVD-ROM the

manufacturer writes the data in it and the user can only read that
data, cannot write new data in it. For example movie DVD, movie
DVD is already written by the manufacturer we can only watch
the movie but we cannot write new data into it.
● DVD-R(Digital Versatile Disc Recordable): In
DVD-R you can write the data but only one
time. Once the data has been written onto it
cannot be erased, it can only be read.
● DVD-RW(Digital Versatile Disc Rewritable
and Erasable): It is a special type of DVD in
which data can be erased and rewritten as many
times as we want. It is also called an erasable
DVD.
 Flash Drive
● A flash drive or pen drive comes in various storage
capacities, such as 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB,
32 GB, 64 GB, up to 1 TB.
● A flash drive is used to transfer and store data.
● To use a flash drive, we need to plug it into a USB
port on a computer.
● As a flash drive is easy to use and compact in size
 Hard Disk
● A hard disk is a part of a unit called a hard disk drive. It is used to storing
a large amount of data.
● Hard disks or hard disk drives come in different storage capacities.(like
256 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB, etc.).
● It is created using the collection of discs known as platters. The platters
are placed one below the other.
● They are coated with magnetic material. Each platter consists of a number
of invisible circles and each circle having the same centre called tracks.
● Hard disk is of two types (i) Internal hard disk (ii) External hard disk.
 Solid State Disk
● It is also known as SDD. It is a non-volatile storage device that is
used to store and access data.
● It is faster, does noiseless operations(because it does not contain any
moving parts like the hard disk), consumes less power, etc.
● It is a great replacement for standard hard drives in computers and
laptops if the price is low and it is also suitable for tablets,
notebooks, etc because they do not require large storage.
 SD Card
● It is known as a Secure Digital Card. It is generally used in
portable devices like mobile phones, cameras, etc., to store data.
It is available in different sizes like 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16
GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, etc.
● To view the data stored in the SD card you can remove them
from the device and insert them into a computer with help of a
card reader.
● The data stores in the SD card is stored in memory chips(present
in the SD Card) and it does not contain any moving parts like the
hard disk.