Storage (Memory)

There are two types of memory:

Memory

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

Memory

e.g Harddisk,
RAM ROM pendrive, CD, DVD

Memory

1. Primary memory:
It is computer memory that is accessed directly by the CPU. This includes several types of
memory, such as the processor cache and system ROM. However, in most cases, primary
memory refers to system RAM.

There are two types of Primary Memory:

a). RAM (Random access memory) It consists of one or more memory modules that
temporarily store data while a computer is running. RAM is volatile memory, meaning it is
erased when the power is turned off. In fact, the data can be transferred between CPU and
RAM more than a hundred times faster than between the CPU and the hard drive.

Types of RAM:
i) Dynamic random-access memory (dynamic RAM or DRAM) is a type of random-
access semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a memory cell consisting of a
tiny capacitor and a transistor, both typically based on metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)
technology. The DRAM need to be refresh time to time because The electric charge on the
capacitors slowly leaks off.
ii) Static random-access memory (static RAM or SRAM) is a type of random-access
memory (RAM) that uses latching circuitry (flip-flop) to store each bit. SRAM is volatile
memory; data is lost when power is removed.
The term static differentiates SRAM from DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) which must
be periodically refreshed. SRAM is faster and more expensive than DRAM; it is typically used
for the cache and internal registers of a CPU while DRAM is used for a computer's main
memory.

b). ROM (READ ONLY Memory):

Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and
other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be electronically modified after the
manufacture of the memory device. Read-only memory is useful for storing software that is
rarely changed during the life of the system, also known as firmware

There are Three types of ROM.

i) PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)

PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user. The user buys a blank
PROM and enters the desired contents using a PROM program. Inside the PROM chip, there
are small fuses which are burnt open during programming. It can be programmed only once
and is not erasable.

II) EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)

EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up to 40 minutes.

Usually, an EPROM eraser achieves this function. During programming, an electrical charge is
trapped in an insulated gate region. The charge is retained for more than 10 years because the
charge has no leakage path. For erasing this charge, ultra-violet light is used.

III) EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)

EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and reprogrammed about ten
thousand times. Both erasing and programming take about 4 to 10 ms (millisecond). In
EEPROM, any location can be selectively erased and programmed. EEPROMs can be erased
one byte at a time, rather than erasing the entire chip. Hence, the process of reprogramming is
flexible but slow.

2. Secondary Memory (Auxiliary Memory):

Secondary storage (also known as external memory or auxiliary storage) differs from primary
storage in that it is not directly accessible by the CPU. The computer usually uses its
input/output channels to access secondary storage and transfer the desired data to primary
storage. Secondary storage is non-volatile (retaining data when its power is shut off.
In modern computers, hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) are usually used as
secondary storage.
Other e.g are CD, DVD, flash disk etc.
Magnetic Tape:
A sequential storage medium used for data collection, backup and archiving. The first
electronic storage medium, magnetic tape is made of flexible plastic with one side coated with
a ferromagnetic material. Tapes were originally open reels but were superseded by cartridges
and cassettes of many sizes and shapes.
Hard Disk:
It is a disk is a spindle of magnetic disks, called platters, that record and store information.
Because the data is stored magnetically, information recorded to the hard disk remains intact
after you turn your computer off. This is an important distinction between the hard disk
and RAM, or memory, which is reset when the computer's power is turned off.
The hard drive also transmits data back and forth between the CPU and the disk. When you
save data on your hard disk, the hard drive has to write thousands, if not millions, of ones and
zeros to the hard disk.

Pen drive (flash disk):

A pen drive, or a USB flash drive, is a portable data-storage device. Pen drives have replaced
the floppy drives of old and have become the most popular data-storage devices among
consumers. Micro, lightweight and handy, a pen drive can be easily carried from place to place
by students, professionals, academicians and independent tech consultants. Currently available
pen drives with storage capacities ranging from 8GB and 32GB can be used to store graphics-
heavy documents, photos, music files and video clips.

Memory Card:

A memory card is a type of storage device that is used for storing media and data files. It
provides a permanent and non-volatile medium to store data and files from the attached
device. Memory cards are commonly used in small, portable devices, such as cameras and
phones.

A memory card is also known as a flash card

Optical disk :

It is any computer disk that uses optical storage techniques and technology to read and write
data. It is a computer storage disk that stores data digitally and uses laser beams (transmitted
from a laser head mounted on an optical disk drive) to read and write data.

An optical disk is primarily used as a portable and secondary storage device. It can store more
data than the previous generation of magnetic storage media, and has a relatively longer
lifespan. Compact disks (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) are currently the most commonly used
forms of optical disks.

CD (Compact Disk):
Stands for "Compact Disc." CDs are circular discs that are 4.75 in (12 cm) in diameter. The CD
standard was proposed by Sony and Philips in 1980 and the technology was introduced to the
U.S. market in 1983. CDs can hold up to 700 MB of data or 80 minutes of audio. The data on a
CD is stored as small notches on the disc and is read by a laser from an optical drive. The drives
translate the notches (which represent 1's and 0's) into usable data.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk):
A DVD is a type of optical media used for storing digital data. It is the same size as a CD, but has
a larger storage capacity. Some DVDs are formatted specifically for video playback, while
others may contain different types of data, such as software programs and computer files.
DVDs can also be watched repeatedly without reducing the quality of the video . A standard
video DVD can store 4.7 GB of data, which is enough to hold over 2 hours of video .

A magneto-optical disk:

It is a rewritable disk that makes use of both magnetic disk and optical technologies. It is similar
to a magnetic diskette except for its larger size. Magneto-optical disks are seldom
manufactured and used due to the advent of flash drives and DVD/CD drives, which are less
expensive and have better writing time and reliability.

Magneto-optical disks are also known as magneto-optical drives and MO drives.

Cache Memory:

Cache memory is a high speed memory placed in between CPU and Primary memory that
makes retrieving data from the computer's memory more efficient. It acts as a temporary
storage area that the computer's processor can retrieve data from easily. This temporary
storage area, known as a cache

Cache memory is sometimes called CPU (central processing unit) memory because it is typically
integrated directly into the CPU chip or placed on a separate chip that has a
separate bus interconnect with the CPU.