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.

What is computer memory?

Computer memory is any physical device, used to store data, information or
instruction temporarily or permanently. It is the collection of storage units
that stores binary information in the form of bits. The memory block is split
into a small number of components, called cells. Each cell has a unique
address to store the data in memory, ranging from zero to memory size
minus one. For example, if the size of computer memory is 64k words, the
memory units have 64 * 1024 = 65536 locations or cells. The address of the
memory's cells varies from 0 to 65535.

Why do we need a computer memory?

In the computer system, we need computer memory to store various types
of data like text, images, video, audio, documents, etc. We can retrieve it
when the data is required. For example, when we write and execute any
computer program, it is initially stored in primary memory. If the processor
does not need particular items for a longer time, the program or data is
automatically saved into the permanent or secondary memory. Then the data
is called from secondary memory to main memory and performs the
execution of codes.

Features of Memory
Following are the different features of the memory system that includes:
1. Location: It represents the internal or external location of the memory
in a computer. The internal memory is inbuilt in computer memory. It
is also known as primary memory. the example of primary memory are
registers, cache and main memory. Whereas, external memory is the
separate storage device from the computer, such as disk, tape, USB pen
drive.
2. Capacity: It is the most important feature of computer memory.
Storage capacity can vary in external and internal memory. External
devices' storage capacity is measured in terms of bytes, whereas the
internal memory is measured with bytes or words. The storage word
length can vary in bits, such as 8, 16 or 32 bits.
3. Access Methods: Memory can be accessed through four modes of
memory.
o DMA: As the name specifies, Direct Memory Address (DMA) is a
method that allows input/output (I/O) devices to access or
retrieve data directly or from the main memory.
o Sequential Access Method: The sequential access method is
used in a data storage device to read stored data sequentially
from the computer memory. Whereas, the data received from
random access memory (RAM) can be in any order.
o Random Access Method: It is a method used to randomly
access data from memory. This method is the opposite of SAM.
For example, to go from A to Z in random access, we can directly
jump to any specified location. In the Sequential method, we
have to follow all intervening from A to Z to reach at the
particular memory location.
o Associative Access Method: It is a special type of memory that
optimizes search performance through defined data to directly
access the stored information based on a memory address.
4. Unit of transfer: As the name suggests, a unit of transfer measures the
transfer rate of bits that can be read or write in or out of the memory
devices. The transfer rate of data can be different in external and
internal memory.
 o Internal memory: The transfer rate of bits is mostly equal to the
word size.
o External memory: The transfer rate of bit or unit is not equal to
the word length. It is always greater than a word or may be
referred to as blocks.
5. Performance: The performance of memory is majorly divided into
three parts.
o Access Time: In random access memory, it represents the total
time taken by memory devices to perform a read or write
operation that an address is sent to memory.
o Memory Cycle Time: Total time required to access memory
block and additional required time before starting second access.
o Transfer rate: It describes the transfer rate of data used to
transmit memory to or from an external or internal memory
device. Bit transfer can be different for different external and
internal devices.
6. Physical types: It defines the physical type of memory used in a
computer such as magnetic, semiconductor, magneto-optical and
optical.
7. Organization: It defines the physical structure of the bits used in
memory.
8. Physical characteristics: It specifies the physical behavior of the
memory like volatile, non-volatile or non-erasable memory. Volatile
memory is known as RAM, which requires power to retain stored
information, and if any power loss has occurred, stored data will be
lost. Non-volatile memory is a permanent storage memory that is used
to obtain any stored information, even when the power is off. Non-
erasable memory is a type of memory that cannot be erased after the
manufactured like ROM because at the time of manufactured ROM are
programmed.
Classification of Memory
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 It requires periodically refreshing to preserve
the information. the 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 Data cannot be lost in non-volatile memory
power supply is turned off. when the 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 The size of the chip is smaller than the RAM chip
to store the data. to 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.
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.

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 It does not require power to retain the data in
memory. secondary memory.

Examples of primary memory are RAM, ROM, Examples of secondary memory are CD, DVD,
Registers, EPROM, PROM and cache memory. HDD, magnetic tapes, flash disks, pen drive, etc.