TYPES OF MEMORY

Classification of Memory
In computers, memory is the most essential component of the normal functioning of any system. The computer system categorizes
the memory for different purposes and uses. In this section, we have discussed the classification of memory in detail. Also, we will
discuss types of memory, features of memory, RAM, ROM, SRAM, DRAM, and its advantages and disadvantages.The following
figure represents the classification of memory:

Primary or Main Memory

Primary memory is also known as the computer system's main memory that communicates directly within the CPU, Auxiliary
memory and the Cache memory. Main memory is used to kept programs or data when the processor is active to use them. When a
program or data is activated to execute, the processor first loads instructions or programs from secondary memory into main memory,
and then the processor starts execution. Accessing or executing of data from primary memory is faster because it has a cache or
register memory that provides faster response, and it is located closer to the CPU. The primary memory is volatile, which means the
data in memory can be lost if it is not saved when a power failure occurs. It is costlier than secondary memory, and the main memory
capacity is limited as compared to secondary memory.
The primary memory is further divided into two parts:
1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
2. ROM (Read Only Memory)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) is one of the faster types of main memory accessed directly by the CPU. It is the hardware in a
computer device to temporarily store data, programs or program results. It is used to read/write data in memory until the machine is
working. It is volatile, which means if a power failure occurs or the computer is turned off, the information stored in RAM will be
lost. All data stored in computer memory can be read or accessed randomly at any time.

There are two types of RAM:

o SRAM
o DRAM
DRAM: DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) is a type of RAM that is used for the dynamic storage of data in RAM. In
DRAM, each cell carries one-bit information. The cell is made up of two parts: a capacitor and a transistor. The size of the capacitor
and the transistor is so small, requiring millions of them to store on a single chip. Hence, a DRAM chip can hold more data than an
SRAM chip of the same size. However, the capacitor needs to be continuously refreshed to retain information because DRAM is
volatile. If the power is switched off, the data store in memory is lost.
Characteristics of DRAM
1. It requires continuously refreshed to retain the data.
2. It is slower than SRAM
3. It holds a large amount of data
4. It is the combination of capacitor and transistor
5. It is less expensive as compared to SRAM
6. Less power consumption
SRAM: SRMA (Static Random-Access Memory) is a type of RAM used to store static data in the memory. It means to store data in
SRAM remains active as long as the computer system has a power supply. However, data is lost in SRAM when power failures have
occurred.
Characteristics of Static Ram
1. It does not require to refresh.
 2. It is faster than DRAM
3. It is expensive.
4. High power consumption
5. Longer life
6. Large size
7. Uses as a cache memory
SRAM Vs. DRAM
SRAM DRAM
It is a Static Random-Access Memory. It is a Dynamic Random Access Memory.
The access time of SRAM is slow. The access time of DRAM is high.
It uses flip-flops to store each bit of information. It uses a capacitor to store each bit of information.
It does not require periodic refreshing to preserve the It requires periodically refreshing to preserve the
information. information.
It uses in cache memory. It is used in the main memory.
The cost of SRAM is expensive. The cost of DRAM is less expensive.
It has a complex structure. Its structure is simple.
It requires low power consumption. It requires more power consumption.
Advantages of RAM
o It is a faster type of memory in a computer.
o It requires less power to operate.
o Program loads much faster
o More RAM increases the performance of a system and can multitask.
o Perform read and write operations.
o The processor can read information faster than a hard disc, floppy, USB, etc.
Disadvantages of RAM
o Less RAM reduces the speed and performance of a computer.
o Due to volatile, it requires electricity to preserve the data.
o It is expensive than ROM
o It is unreliable as compared to ROM
o The Size of RAM is limited.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
ROM is a memory device or storage medium that is used to permanently store information inside a chip. It is a read-only memory
that can only read stored information, data or programs, but we cannot write or modify anything. A ROM contains some important
instructions or program data that are required to start or boot a computer. It is a non-volatile memory; it means that the stored
information cannot be lost even when the power is turned off or the system is shut down.

Types of ROM
There are five types of Read Only Memory:
1. MROM (Masked Read Only Memory):
MROM is the oldest type of read-only memory whose program or data is pre-configured by the integrated circuit
manufacture at the time of manufacturing. Therefore, a program or instruction stored within the MROM chip cannot be
changed by the user.
2. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory):
It is a type of digital read-only memory, in which the user can write any type of information or program only once. It means
it is the empty PROM chip in which the user can write the desired content or program only once using the special PROM
programmer or PROM burner device; after that, the data or instruction cannot be changed or erased.
3. EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory):
It is the type of read only memory in which stored data can be erased and re-programmed only once in the EPROM memory.
It is a non-volatile memory chip that holds data when there is no power supply and can also store data for a minimum of 10
to 20 years. In EPROM, if we want to erase any stored data and re-programmed it, first, we need to pass the ultraviolet light
for 40 minutes to erase the data; after that, the data is re-created in EPROM.
4. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory):
The EEROM is an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory used to erase stored data using a high voltage
electrical charge and re-programmed it. It is also a non-volatile memory whose data cannot be erased or lost; even the power
is turned off. In EEPROM, the stored data can be erased and reprogrammed up to 10 thousand times, and the data erase one
byte at a time.
5. Flash ROM:
Flash memory is a non-volatile storage memory chip that can be written or programmed in small units called Block or
Sector. Flash Memory is an EEPROM form of computer memory, and the contents or data cannot be lost when the power
source is turned off. It is also used to transfer data between the computer and digital devices.
Advantages of ROM
 1. It is a non-volatile memory in which stored information can be lost even power is turned off.
2. It is static, so it does not require refreshing the content every time.
3. Data can be stored permanently.
4. It is easy to test and store large data as compared to RAM.
5. These cannot be changed accidently
6. It is cheaper than RAM.
7. It is simple and reliable as compared to RAM.
8. It helps to start the computer and loads the OS.
Disadvantages of ROM
1. Store data cannot be updated or modify except to read the existing data.
2. It is a slower memory than RAM to access the stored data.
3. It takes around 40 minutes to destroy the existing data using the high charge of ultraviolet light.
RAM Vs. ROM
RAM ROM
It is a Random-Access Memory. It is a Read Only Memory.
Read and write operations can be performed. Only Read operation can be performed.
Data can be lost in volatile memory when the power Data cannot be lost in non-volatile memory when the
supply is turned off. power supply is turned off.
It is a faster and expensive memory. It is a slower and less expensive memory.
Storage data requires to be refreshed in RAM. Storage data does not need to be refreshed in ROM.
The size of the chip is bigger than the ROM chip to store The size of the chip is smaller than the RAM chip to
the data. store the same amount of data.
Types of RAM: DRAM and SRAM Types of ROM: MROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM

Secondary Memory
Secondary memory is a permanent storage space to hold a large amount of data. Secondary memory is also known as external
memory that representing the various storage media (hard drives, USB, CDs, flash drives and DVDs) on which the computer data and
program can be saved on a long term basis. However, it is cheaper and slower than the main memory. Unlike primary memory,
secondary memory cannot be accessed directly by the CPU. Instead of that, secondary memory data is first loaded into the RAM
(Random Access Memory) and then sent to the processor to read and update the data. Secondary memory devices also include
magnetic disks like hard disk and floppy disks, an optical disk such as CDs and CDROMs, and magnetic tapes.
Features of Secondary Memory
o Its speed is slower than the primary/ main memory.
o Store data cannot be lost due to non-volatile nature.
o It can store large collections of different types, such as audio, video, pictures, text, software, etc.
o All the stored data in a secondary memory cannot be lost because it is a permanent storage area; even the power is turned off.
o It has various optical and magnetic memories to store data.
Types of Secondary Memory
The following are the types of secondary memory devices:
Hard Disk
A hard disk is a computer's permanent storage device. It is a non-volatile disk that permanently stores data, programs, and files, and
cannot lose store data when the computer's power source is switched off. Typically, it is located internally on computer's motherboard
that stores and retrieves data using one or more rigid fast rotating disk platters inside an air-sealed casing. It is a large storage device,
found on every computer or laptop for permanently storing installed software, music, text documentation, videos, operating system,
and data until the user did not delete.

HARD DISK CD
FLOPPY DISK
Floppy Disk
A floppy disk is a secondary storage system that consisting of thin, flexible magnetic coating disks for holding electronic data such as
computer files. It is also known as Floppy Diskette that comes in three sizes like 8 inches, 5.5 inches and 3.5 inches. The stored data
of a floppy disk can be accessed through the floppy disk drive. Furthermore, it is the only way through a new program installed on a
computer or backup of the information. However, it is the oldest type of portable storage device, which can store data up to 1.44 MB.
Since most programs were larger, that required multiple floppy diskettes to store large amounts of data. Therefore, it is not used due to
very low memory storage.

CD (Compact Disc)
A CD is an optical disk storage device, stands for Compact Disc. It is a storage device used to store various data types like audio,
videos, files, OS, Back-Up file, and any other information useful to a computer. The CD has a width of 1.2 mm and 12 cm in height,
which can store approximately 783 MB of data size. It uses laser light to read and write data from the CDs.

Types of CDs
1. CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory): It is mainly used for bulk size mass like audio CDs, software and
computer games at the time of manufacture. Users can only read data, text, music, videos from the disc, but they cannot
modify or burnt it.
2. CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable): The type of Compact Disc used to write once by the user; after that, it cannot be
modified or erased.
3. CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable): It is a rewritable CD disc, often used to write or delete the stored data.
DVD Drive/Disc
DVD is an optical disc storage device, stands for Digital Video Display or Digital Versatile Disc. It has the same size as a CD but
can store a larger amount of data than a compact disc. It was developed in 1995 by Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Philips four
electronics companies. DVD drives are divided into three types, such as DVD ROM (Read Only Memory), DVD R (Recordable)
and DVD RW (Rewritable or Erasable). It can store multiple data formats like audio, videos, images, software, operating system, etc.
The storing capacity of data in DVD is 4.7 GB to 17 GB.

PEN DRIVE
DVD CACHE MEMORY
Blu Ray Disc (BD)
Blu Ray is an Optical disc storage device used to store a large amount of data or high definition of video recording and playing other
media files. It uses laser technology to read the stored data of the Blu-ray Disk. It can store more data at a greater density as compared
to CD/ DVD. For example, compact discs allow us to store 700 MB of data, and in DVDs, it provides up to 8 GB of storage capacity,
while Blu-ray Discs provide 28 GB of space to store data.
Pen Drive
A pen drive is a portable device used to permanently store data and is also known as a USB flash drive. It is commonly used to store
and transfer the data connected to a computer using a USB port. It does not have any moveable part to store the data; it uses an
integrated circuit chip that stores the data. It allows the users to store and transfer data like audio, videos, images, etc. from one
computer to any USB pen drive. The storing capacity of pen drives from 64 MB to 128 GB or more.

Cache Memory
It is a small-sized chip-based computer memory that lies between the CPU and the main memory. It is a faster, high performance and
temporary memory to enhance the performance of the CPU. It stores all the data and instructions that are often used by computer
CPUs. It also reduces the access time of data from the main memory. It is faster than the main memory, and sometimes, it is also
called CPU memory because it is very close to the CPU chip. The following are the levels of cache memory.

1. L1 Cache: The L1 cache is also known as the onboard, internal, or primary cache. It is built with the help of the CPU. Its
speed is very high, and the size of the L1 cache varies from 8 KB to 128 KB.
2. L2 Cache: It is also known as external or secondary cache, which requires fast access time to store temporary data. It is built
into a separate chip in a motherboard, not built into the CPU like the L1 level. The size of the L2 cache may be 128 KB to 1
MB.
3. L3 Cache: L3 cache levels are generally used with high performance and capacity of the computer. It is built into a
motherboard. Its speed is very slow, and the maximum size up to 8 MB.
Advantages of Cache Memory
1. Cache memory is the faster memory as compared to the main memory.
2. It stores all data and instructions that are repeatedly used by the CPU for improving the performance of a computer.
3. The access time of data is less than the main memory.
Disadvantage of Cache Memory
1. It is very costly as compared to the Main memory and the Secondary memory.
2. It has limited storage capacity.
Register Memory
The register memory is a temporary storage area for storing and transferring the data and the instructions to a computer. It is the
smallest and fastest memory of a computer. It is a part of computer memory located in the CPU as the form of registers. The register
memory is 16, 32 and 64 bits in size. It temporarily stores data instructions and the address of the memory that is repeatedly used to
provide faster response to the CPU.
Primary Vs. Secondary Memory
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
It is also known as temporary memory. It is also known as a permanent memory.
Data can be access directly by the processor or CPU. Data cannot be accessed directly by the I/O processor or
CPU.
Stored data can be a volatile or non-volatile memory. The nature of secondary memory is always non-volatile.
It is more costly than secondary memory. It is less costly than primary memory.
It is a faster memory. It is a slower memory.
It has limited storage capacity. It has a large storage capacity.
It required the power to retain the data in primary memory. It does not require power to retain the data in secondary
memory.
Examples of primary memory are RAM, ROM, Registers, Examples of secondary memory are CD, DVD, HDD,
EPROM, PROM and cache memory. magnetic tapes, flash disks, pen drive, etc.