Memory/Storage
What is Storage/memory:
Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for
later use. Some things will be needed right away while other won't be needed for
extended periods of time. So different methods are appropriate for different uses.
Earlier when learning about processing, we saw all the kinds of things that are
stored in Main Memory.
Or,
In computing system, memory refers to the computer hardware devices used to
store information. This memory is of two fundamental types: main memory, and
secondary memory, main memory is sometimes called main storage and secondary
memory is sometimes called secondary storage or mass storage. The reason for
having two types of storage is the difference in speed and capacity.
Or,
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored,
and retrieved when needed.
What is the function of memory in a computer?
➢ Modem computers load all system and program files being used as well as
all data related to the operation of those files into RAM.
➢ Hard disk stores information that programs need in order to run, as well as
information that the programs need to save after it does run.
➢ Random-access-memory, the sticks of memory that are separate from hard
disk, store temporary information that the program or game creates while it
, is running. The speed of computer also depends on it. The computer loads
the basic input/output system (BIOS) from Read-Only memory (ROM).
What is main memory?
Main memory is sometimes called volatile because it loses its information when
power is removed. Main memory is where programs and data are kept when the
processor is actively using them. When programs and data become active, they are
copied from secondary memory into main memory where the processor can
interact with them, a copy remains in secondary memory. Main memory is closely
connected to the processor, so moving instructions and data into and out of the
processor is very fast. Main memory is sometimes called RAM which stands for
Random Access Memory, "Random" means that the memory cells can be accessed
in any order. It interacts with the processor millions of times per second.
What is secondary memory?
Secondary storage is usually nonvolatile because it retains (keeps) its information
when power is removed. Secondary memory is where programs and data are kept
on a long-term basis. Common secondary storage devices are the hard disk, floppy
disks, CD, DVD, and removable hard disk.
,The hard disk has huge storage capacity compared to main memory. The hard disk
is used for long-term storage of programs and data. Data and programs on the hard
disk are organized into files.
Characteristics of Primary & Secondary memory
1.Primary memory
1. Fast
2. Expensive
3. Low capacity
4. Closely connected directly to and works with the processor
5. Stored data are quickly and easily changed
6. Holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with.
,2. Secondary memory
1. Slow
2. Cheap
3. Large capacity
4. Not connected directly to the processor
5. Connected to main memory through the bus and a controller.
6. Stored data are easily changed, but changes are slow compared to main
memory.
7. Used for long-term storage of programs and data.
Mainly there are two types of memory:
A. Volatile memory
1. RAM
-DRAM
-SRAM
B. Non-volatile memory
1. ROM
2. Flash Memory
3. Magnetic Disk
- Hard disk, Floppy disks
4. Magnetic tape
5. Optical discs
- CDROM, DVDROM etc.
6. Hard Disk.
, There are four basic types of computer memory:
1. Computer Ram
2. Hard Drive
3. Virtual Memory
4. Cache Memory
What is Primary Storage
Primary storage is computer memory that is directly accessible to the CPU of a
computer without the use of computer's input/output channels. Primary storage is
used to store data that is likely to be in active use. (Wikipedia, 2007m)
Computer memory is measured in terms of how many bits it can store.
Here is a chart for memory capacity conversion.
▪ 1 byte (B) = 8 bits
▪ 1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
▪ 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024KB
▪ 1 Gigabyte (GB = 1024MB
▪ 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024GB
▪ 1 Exabyte (EB) = 1024PB
▪ 1 Zettabyte = 1024EB
▪ 1 Yottabyte (YB) = 1024ZB
What is Storage/memory:
Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep information available for
later use. Some things will be needed right away while other won't be needed for
extended periods of time. So different methods are appropriate for different uses.
Earlier when learning about processing, we saw all the kinds of things that are
stored in Main Memory.
Or,
In computing system, memory refers to the computer hardware devices used to
store information. This memory is of two fundamental types: main memory, and
secondary memory, main memory is sometimes called main storage and secondary
memory is sometimes called secondary storage or mass storage. The reason for
having two types of storage is the difference in speed and capacity.
Or,
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored,
and retrieved when needed.
What is the function of memory in a computer?
➢ Modem computers load all system and program files being used as well as
all data related to the operation of those files into RAM.
➢ Hard disk stores information that programs need in order to run, as well as
information that the programs need to save after it does run.
➢ Random-access-memory, the sticks of memory that are separate from hard
disk, store temporary information that the program or game creates while it
, is running. The speed of computer also depends on it. The computer loads
the basic input/output system (BIOS) from Read-Only memory (ROM).
What is main memory?
Main memory is sometimes called volatile because it loses its information when
power is removed. Main memory is where programs and data are kept when the
processor is actively using them. When programs and data become active, they are
copied from secondary memory into main memory where the processor can
interact with them, a copy remains in secondary memory. Main memory is closely
connected to the processor, so moving instructions and data into and out of the
processor is very fast. Main memory is sometimes called RAM which stands for
Random Access Memory, "Random" means that the memory cells can be accessed
in any order. It interacts with the processor millions of times per second.
What is secondary memory?
Secondary storage is usually nonvolatile because it retains (keeps) its information
when power is removed. Secondary memory is where programs and data are kept
on a long-term basis. Common secondary storage devices are the hard disk, floppy
disks, CD, DVD, and removable hard disk.
,The hard disk has huge storage capacity compared to main memory. The hard disk
is used for long-term storage of programs and data. Data and programs on the hard
disk are organized into files.
Characteristics of Primary & Secondary memory
1.Primary memory
1. Fast
2. Expensive
3. Low capacity
4. Closely connected directly to and works with the processor
5. Stored data are quickly and easily changed
6. Holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with.
,2. Secondary memory
1. Slow
2. Cheap
3. Large capacity
4. Not connected directly to the processor
5. Connected to main memory through the bus and a controller.
6. Stored data are easily changed, but changes are slow compared to main
memory.
7. Used for long-term storage of programs and data.
Mainly there are two types of memory:
A. Volatile memory
1. RAM
-DRAM
-SRAM
B. Non-volatile memory
1. ROM
2. Flash Memory
3. Magnetic Disk
- Hard disk, Floppy disks
4. Magnetic tape
5. Optical discs
- CDROM, DVDROM etc.
6. Hard Disk.
, There are four basic types of computer memory:
1. Computer Ram
2. Hard Drive
3. Virtual Memory
4. Cache Memory
What is Primary Storage
Primary storage is computer memory that is directly accessible to the CPU of a
computer without the use of computer's input/output channels. Primary storage is
used to store data that is likely to be in active use. (Wikipedia, 2007m)
Computer memory is measured in terms of how many bits it can store.
Here is a chart for memory capacity conversion.
▪ 1 byte (B) = 8 bits
▪ 1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
▪ 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024KB
▪ 1 Gigabyte (GB = 1024MB
▪ 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024GB
▪ 1 Exabyte (EB) = 1024PB
▪ 1 Zettabyte = 1024EB
▪ 1 Yottabyte (YB) = 1024ZB
