Week 3
Memory unit
Memory is the Computer’s “work space” where data and programs are
stored or from where they are retrieved for immediate processing.
The Memory Unit is the part of the computer that holds data and
instructions for processing.
The Computer Memory Unit can be measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The usual computer may have 256MB, 512MB, 2GB, and
4GB, 6GB or more.
The higher the capacity of computer memory, the better and faster a
computer performs.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMORY
The main characteristics of a memory are:
1. Capacity
2. Access time
3. Cycle time
4. Transfer rate
5. Throughput
6. Non-volatility
EXPLANATION
, CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMORY
1. CAPACITY
This represents the global volume of information (in bits) that the memory
can store.
2. ACCESS TIME:
It is the average time required to reach a storage location and obtain its
content.
3. CYCLE TIME:
This represents the minimum time interval between two successive
accesses.
4. TRANSFER RATE:
The transfer rate is the number of characters or words that a device can
transfer per second after it has been positioned at the beginning of the
record.
5. THROUGHPUT:
This defines the volume of information exchanged per unit of time
expressed in bits per second.
6. NON-VOLATILITY
It is the ability of a memory to store data when it is not being supplied with
electricity.
Diagram showing the classification of the Memory
Memory unit
Memory is the Computer’s “work space” where data and programs are
stored or from where they are retrieved for immediate processing.
The Memory Unit is the part of the computer that holds data and
instructions for processing.
The Computer Memory Unit can be measured in megabytes (MB) or
gigabytes (GB). The usual computer may have 256MB, 512MB, 2GB, and
4GB, 6GB or more.
The higher the capacity of computer memory, the better and faster a
computer performs.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMORY
The main characteristics of a memory are:
1. Capacity
2. Access time
3. Cycle time
4. Transfer rate
5. Throughput
6. Non-volatility
EXPLANATION
, CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMORY
1. CAPACITY
This represents the global volume of information (in bits) that the memory
can store.
2. ACCESS TIME:
It is the average time required to reach a storage location and obtain its
content.
3. CYCLE TIME:
This represents the minimum time interval between two successive
accesses.
4. TRANSFER RATE:
The transfer rate is the number of characters or words that a device can
transfer per second after it has been positioned at the beginning of the
record.
5. THROUGHPUT:
This defines the volume of information exchanged per unit of time
expressed in bits per second.
6. NON-VOLATILITY
It is the ability of a memory to store data when it is not being supplied with
electricity.
Diagram showing the classification of the Memory
