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Main Articles: And: Computer Memory Computer Data Storage

Computer memory can be viewed as a list of cells that can each store a single number. Different types of memory include magnetic core memory, semiconductor memory, registers, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and cache memory. RAM can be written to and read from during use but loses its contents when powered off, while ROM retains its contents permanently and can only be read by the CPU. Memory allows computers to store any kind of data numerically and is crucial for processing and running programs.

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48 views4 pages

Main Articles: And: Computer Memory Computer Data Storage

Computer memory can be viewed as a list of cells that can each store a single number. Different types of memory include magnetic core memory, semiconductor memory, registers, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and cache memory. RAM can be written to and read from during use but loses its contents when powered off, while ROM retains its contents permanently and can only be read by the CPU. Memory allows computers to store any kind of data numerically and is crucial for processing and running programs.

Uploaded by

Mark Galicia
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Memory

Main articles: Computer memory and Computer


data storage

Magnetic-core memory (using magnetic cores) was


the computer memory of choice in the 1960s, until it was
replaced by semiconductor memory (using MOS memory
cells).
A computer's memory can be viewed as a list of
cells into which numbers can be placed or read.
Each cell has a numbered "address" and can
store a single number. The computer can be
instructed to "put the number 123 into the cell
numbered 1357" or to "add the number that is in
cell 1357 to the number that is in cell 2468 and
put the answer into cell 1595." The information
stored in memory may represent practically
anything. Letters, numbers, even computer
instructions can be placed into memory with equal
ease. Since the CPU does not differentiate
between different types of information, it is the
software's responsibility to give significance to
what the memory sees as nothing but a series of
numbers.
In almost all modern computers, each memory
cell is set up to store binary numbers in groups of
eight bits (called a byte). Each byte is able to
represent 256 different numbers (28 = 256); either
from 0 to 255 or −128 to +127. To store larger
numbers, several consecutive bytes may be used
(typically, two, four or eight). When negative
numbers are required, they are usually stored
in two's complement notation. Other
arrangements are possible, but are usually not
seen outside of specialized applications or
historical contexts. A computer can store any kind
of information in memory if it can be represented
numerically. Modern computers have billions or
even trillions of bytes of memory.
The CPU contains a special set of memory cells
called registers that can be read and written to
much more rapidly than the main memory area.
There are typically between two and one hundred
registers depending on the type of CPU.
Registers are used for the most frequently needed
data items to avoid having to access main
memory every time data is needed. As data is
constantly being worked on, reducing the need to
access main memory (which is often slow
compared to the ALU and control units) greatly
increases the computer's speed.
Computer main memory comes in two principal
varieties:
 random-access memory or RAM
 read-only memory or ROM
RAM can be read and written to anytime the CPU
commands it, but ROM is preloaded with data and
software that never changes, therefore the CPU
can only read from it. ROM is typically used to
store the computer's initial start-up instructions. In
general, the contents of RAM are erased when
the power to the computer is turned off, but ROM
retains its data indefinitely. In a PC, the ROM
contains a specialized program called
the BIOS that orchestrates loading the
computer's operating system from the hard disk
drive into RAM whenever the computer is turned
on or reset. In embedded computers, which
frequently do not have disk drives, all of the
required software may be stored in ROM.
Software stored in ROM is often called firmware,
because it is notionally more like hardware than
software. Flash memory blurs the distinction
between ROM and RAM, as it retains its data
when turned off but is also rewritable. It is typically
much slower than conventional ROM and RAM
however, so its use is restricted to applications
where high speed is unnecessary.[96]
In more sophisticated computers there may be
one or more RAM cache memories, which are
slower than registers but faster than main
memory. Generally computers with this sort of
cache are designed to move frequently needed
data into the cache automatically, often without
the need for any intervention on the programmer's
part.

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