COMPUTER MEMORY
The computer memory is one of the most important elements in a computer system. It
stores data and instructions required during the processing of data and output results.
Storage may be required fora limited period of time, instantly or for an extended period
of time. Computer memory refers to the electronic holding place for instructions and
data where the processor canread quickly.
Access Modes A memory is comprised
Memory Hierarchy of various memory locations. The
The memory is characterised on the basis information from these memory
of two key factors; capacity and access locations can be accessed randomly,
time. The lesser the access time, the sequentially and directly.
faster is the speed of memory. Access Time The access time is the time
The computer uses a hierarchy of required between the desired modes for a
memory that is organised in a manner to read or write operation till the data is
enable the fastest speed and largest made available or written at the desired
capacity of memory as shown in figure. location.
Physical Characteristics In this respect,
the devices can be categorised into four
main categories electronic, magnetic,
mechanical and optical.
Permanence of Storage lts permanence
is high for future use in magnetic
materials.
Primary Memory(Main Memory)
Types of Memory The memory unit that communicates
In general, the memory is classified into directly with the CPU is called main
two categories memory. The primary memory allows
1. Primary memory Or Main memory the computer to store data for immediate
2. Secondary memory or Auxiliary manipulation and to keep track of what is
memory currently being processed. It is volatile in
Parameters of Memory nature, it means that when the power is
The following terms are most commonly turned off, the contents of the primary
used for identifying comparative memory are lost forever.
behaviour of various memory devices Primary memory further classified in two
and technologies categories
Storage Capacity It is representative of 1. Random Access Memory (RAM):
the size of the memory. The capacity of It is also known as read/write memory,
internal memory and main memory can that allows CPU to read as well as write
be expressedin terms of number of data and instructions into it.
words or bytes. RAM is used for the temporary storage
of input data, output data and
intermediate results. RAM is a
COMPUTER MEMORY
microchip implemented using processing. It is required that the data and
semiconductors. instructions are accessed from the RAM
and stored in the registers.
Cache memory is a very high speed
memory placed in between RAM and
CPU. Cache memory increases the speed
of processing.
Cache memory is very expensive, so it is
smaller in size.
There are two categories of RAM
Generally, computers have cache
(i) Dynamic RAM (DRAM) It is made
memory of sizes 256 KB to 2 MB.
up of memory cells where each cell is
composed of one capacitor and one
transistor. DRAM must be refreshed 2.Read Only Memory (ROM)
continually to store information. The It is also known as non-volatile memory
refresh operation occurs automatically or permanent storage. It does not lose its
thousands of times per second. DRAM is content when the power is switched off.
slower, less-expensive and occupies less ROM has only read capability, no write
space on the computer’s motherboard. capability. ROM can have data and
instructions written to it only one time.
(ii) Static RAM (SRAM) It retains the Once a ROM chip is programmed at the
data as long as power is provided to the time of manufacturing, it cannot be
memory chip. It needs not be refreshed reprogrammed or rewritten.
periodically. SRAM uses multiple
transistors for each memory cell. It does
not use capacitor. SRAM is often used as
cache memory due to its high speed.
SRAM is more expensive than DRAM.
There are three categories of ROM
Extended Data Output Dynamic RAM (i) Programmable ROM (PROM) It is
(EDODRAM) also non-volatile in nature. Once a
It is a type of RAM chip. It is used to PROM has been programmed, its
improve the time to read content from contents can never be changed. It is a
memory and enhance the method of one-time programmable device.
access. PROMs are manufactured blank and can
Cache Memory be programmed at buffer, final test or in
Cache memory is a storage buffer that
stores the data that is used more often, system. These types of memories are
temporarily and makes them available to found in video game consoles, mobile
CPU at a fast rate. phones, implantable medical devices and
The data and instructions that are high definition multimedia interfaces.
required during the processing of data are PROM was invented by Wen Tsing
brought from the secondary storage Chow in 1956.
devices and stored in the RAM. For
COMPUTER MEMORY
(ii) Erasable Programmable ROM directly by the CPU, it must first be
(EPROM) copied into primary storage i.e., RAM.
It is similar to PROM, but it can be Secondary storage is used to store data
erased by exposure to strong ultraviolet and programs when they are not being
light, then rewritten. So, it is also known processed. It is also non-volatile in
as Ultraviolet Erasable Programmable nature. Due to this, the data remain in the
ROM (UVEPROM). EPROM was secondary storage as long as it is not
invented by Dov Frohman of Intel in overwritten or deleted by the user. It is a
1971. permanent storage i.e., device.
Secondary memory devices include
(iii)Electrically Erasable Programmable Magnetic Disks • Hard Disk Drive
ROM (EEPROM) • Floppy Disk
It is similar to EPROM, but it can be • Memory Stick
erased electrically, then rewritten Optical Disks • CD
electrically and the burning process is • DVD
reversible by exposure to electric pulses. • Blue-ray Disk
Solid State Disks • Pen/Flash Drive
Points to ponder
* Flash memory is a kind of Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
semiconductor-based non-volatile It is a non-volatile, random access digital
rewritable memory, used in digital data storage device. It is a data storage
camera, mobile phone, printer, etc. device used for storing and retrieving
* Virtual memory is a technique that digital information using rotating disks
allows the execution of processes that are (platters) coated with magnetic material.
not completely in main memory. One All programs of a computer are installed
major advantage of this scheme is that in hard disk.
programs can be larger than main
memory. This technique frees
programmers from the concerns of
memory storage limitations.
* Buffer is a temporary physical storage
used to hold data during execution of
process from one place to another.
Secondary Memory
(Auxiliary Memory/Storage Devices)
The secondary memory stores much It consists of a spindle that hold non—
larger amounts of data and information magnetic flat circular disks, called
for extended periods of time. Data in platters, which hold the recorded data.
secondary memory cannot be processed Each platter requires two read/write
heads, that is used to write and read the
COMPUTER MEMORY
information from a platter. All the read/ Compact Disk (CD)
write heads are attached to a single It is the most popular and the least
access arm so that they cannot move expensive type of optical disk. A CD is
independently. capable of being used as a data storage
device along with storing of digital
audio. The files are stored on this
particular contiguous sectors.
CDs are categorised into three main
types
1. CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only
Memory) It is designed to store computer
data in the form of text and graphics, as
well as hi-fi stereo sound. It is capable of
The information is recorded in bands; storing large amounts of data- up to 1GB,
each band of information is called a although the most common storage
track. Each platter has the same number capacity is 700 MB.
of tracks and a track location that cuts Data is recorded permanently on the
across all platters is called a cylinder. surface of the optical disk through the
The tracks are divided into pie-shaped use of laser. The recorded content cannot
sections known as sectors. be changed or erased by users. It is also
Floppy Disk called WORM (Write Once Read Many)
It is used to store data but it can store disk.
small amount of data and it is slower to
access than hard disks. It is round in
shape and a thin plastic disk coated with 2. CD-R (Compact Disk- Recordable)
iron oxide. Data can be written on these disks only
Data is once. The data once stored in these disks
retrieved or cannot be erased.
recorded on 3. CD-RW (Compact Disk- Rewritable)
the surface of It is an erasable disk. CD-RW is used to
the disk write data multiple times on a disk by the
through a slot use of format feature.
on the
envelope. Digital Video Disk (DVD)
Floppy disks DVD is also known as Super Density
is removable from the drive. Floppy disk Disk (SD). A DVD is an optical disk
is available in three sizes; 8 inch, 5.25 storage media manufactured by Philips,
inch and 3.5 inch. Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic in 1995.
* 5.25 inch floppy disk has a capacity of DVDs offer higher storage capacity than
1.2 MB. Compact disks while having the same
* 3.5 inch floppy disk has a capacity of dimensions.
1.44 MB.
COMPUTER MEMORY
Depending upon the disk type, DVD can Blue-ray can
store several Gigabytes of data (4.7 GB- hold almost 5
17.08 GB). times more data
DVDs are primarily used to store music than a single
or 6 movies and can be played back on layer DVD.
your television or the computer too. They The variations
are not rewritable media. in the formats
are as follows
1. BD-ROM
(Read only) for pre-recorded content
2. BD-R (Recordable) for PC data
storage
3. BD-RW (Rewritable) for PC data
storage
4. D-RE (Rewritable) for HDTV
recording
DVDs come in three varieties
1. DVD-ROM
(Digital Video Disk-Read Only Pen/Thumb Drive
Memory) Pen drive is also known as flash drive. A
2. DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) flash drive is a data storage device that
3. DVD-RW (DVD-Rewritable) consists of flash memory (key memory)
with a portable USB (Universal Serial
Bus) interface. USB flash drives are
typically removable, rewritable and
much smaller than a floppy disk. A USB
Blue-Ray Disk flash drive is same as the size of thumb
Blue-ray disk (official abbreviation BD) that plugs into a USB port on the
is an optical disk storage medium computer.
designed to recapture the data normally Today, flash
in DVD format. Blue-ray disks contain drives are
25 GB (23.31 GB) per layer space. available in
The name Blue-ray disk refers to the blue various storage
laser used to read the disk, which allows capacities as
information to be stored at a greater 256MB,
density than the longer-wavelength red 512MB, 1GB,
laser used in DVDs. 4GB, 16GB
upto 64 GB. They are widely used as an
easy and small medium to transfer and
store the
information from their computer.
COMPUTER MEMORY
Memory Stick There are mainly two types of magnetic
It is a USB-based flash memory drive. A tape as Tape Reel and Tape Cassette.
family of flash memory cards from Sony Each of the type has its own
designed for digital storage in cameras, requirements. The older systems
camcorders and other handheld devices. designed for networks use reel-to-reel
Capacity of memory stick varies from 4 tapes. Newer systems use cassettes
MB to 256 GB. holding more data than that of the huge
reels.
Tit- Bits
The rate at which data is written to
disk or read from disk is called data
transfer rate.
Track It records data bits as tiny
Magnetic Tape magnetic spots.
Magnetic tapes are made of a plastic Sector It holds a block of data that is
film-type material coated with magnetic read or written at one time.
materials to store data permanently. Data Root directory is the main folder of
can be read as well as recorded. It is disk. It contains information about all
usually 12.5 mm to 25 mm wide and 500 folders on the disk.
m to 1200 m long. These can store data Hard disk is a fixed disk i.e., cannot
in a sequential manner. The data stored be removed from the drive.
in magnetic tape is in the form of tiny
segments of magnetised and Secondary Memory Device and their
demagnetised portion on the surface of Storage Method and Capacity
the material. Magnetic tapes are durable, Device Storage Capacity
can be written, erased and re-written. Method
Magnetic tapes hold the maximum data, Floppy Disk Magnetic 1.2 MB
which can be accessed sequentially. (5.25 inch)
Floppy Disk Magnetic 1.44 MB
(5.25 inch)
Floppy Disk Magnetic 80 KB to
(5.25 inch) 242 KB
Hard disk Magnetic Upto 1 TB
CD-ROM Optical 640 MB to
680 MB
DVD ROM Optical 4.7 GB to 17
GB
Pen Drive Solid state 1 GB to 512
GB
Magnetic Magnetic Upto 1 TB
Types of Magnetic Tape Tape
COMPUTER MEMORY
Terms Related to Memory Zettabyte (ZB) One zettabyte of
Measurement information equal to 1000 exabytes or
When you use a RAM, ROM, Floppy 1021 bytes.
disk or hard disk. the data is measured
using somé unit. In computer Units of memory measurements
terminology, they are called Nibble, Bit, 1 Bit = Binary Digit
Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, etc. 8 Bits = 1 Byte = 2 Nibble
1024 Bytes = 1 KB (Kilo Byte)
Bit It stands for a Binary Digit. Which is 1024 KB = 1 MB (Mega Byte)
either O or 1. 1024 MB = 1 GB (Giga Byte)
Byte (B) A byte is approximately one 1024 GB = 1 TB (Tera Byte)
character (letter 'a', number ‘1’, symbol 1024 TB = 1 PB (Peta Byte)
"?' etc.). Also, a group of 8 bits is called 1024 PB = 1 EB (Exa Byte)
a byte. 1024 EB = 1ZB(Zetta Byte)
Nibble 4 bits make one nibble. 1024 ZB = 1 YB (Yotta Byte)
Kilobyte (KB) In memory, a group of 1024 YB = 1 (Bronto Byte)
1024 bytes is called a Kilobyte. 1024 Brontobyte = 1(Geop Byte)
Megabyte (MB) In mẹmory, a group of
1024 kilobytes is called a Megabyte. It is Bit is the smallest memory
measurement unit.
Geop Byte is the highest memory
sometimes used, less precisely, to mean, measurement unit.
1 million bytes or 1000 KB.
Gigabyte (GB) In memory, a group of
1024 megabytes is called a Gigabyte. It
is sometimes used, less precisely, to
mean 1 billion bytes or 1000 MB. Now,
a number of companies manufacture
memory chips in terms of Megabyte such
as 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 1.2 GB etc.
Terabyte (TB) A terabyte, exactly 240
bytes (20 GB), is approximately a trillion
(1012) bytes.
Petabyte (PB) One petabyte of
information equal to 1000 Terabytes or
1015 bytes.
Exabyte (EB) One exabyte of
information equal to 1000 Petabytes or
1018 bytes.
