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ESQ6

The document discusses different types of computer memory, including RAM, ROM, and flash memory. RAM is volatile and allows for random access, while ROM is non-volatile and contains permanent data necessary for system functions. Flash memory, derived from EEPROM, is also non-volatile and used in secondary storage devices like SD cards and USB sticks.

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15 views2 pages

ESQ6

The document discusses different types of computer memory, including RAM, ROM, and flash memory. RAM is volatile and allows for random access, while ROM is non-volatile and contains permanent data necessary for system functions. Flash memory, derived from EEPROM, is also non-volatile and used in secondary storage devices like SD cards and USB sticks.

Uploaded by

vihaanshekar1710
Copyright
© © 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, RAM and ROM

Contents
 Computer memory
 RAM
 ROM
 Flash memory

Computer memory
Computer memory is any physical device in a computer that can store program instructions
and data.
The primary memory or main memory is internal to the computer and can be directly
accessed by the CPU.
The word 'main' is used to distinguish it from storage devices such as hard disk drives which
are called secondary or secondary storage devices.

RAM (Random Access Memory)


RAM consists of billions of storage locations each of which can store a byte of data and each
has an address so that the CPU knows where to store (write) and retrieve (read) data and
instructions.

RAM is ‘random access’ because each memory location can be accessed in any order if the
‘address’ of that location is specified. This speeds up data retrieval as the CPU can go to
any location in any order. Serial access means it would have to start each time at the first
location and go through them in order until it finds the correct one. Digital tape storage is
random access.

Data can be read from and also written to RAM. It is used to store instructions and data. The
contents of RAM are therefore constantly changing as a program is running.

RAM is said to be volatile because if there is no electrical power then the RAM will lose all of
its data.

ROM (Read Only Memory)


Read-only memory (ROM) is an integrated circuit on a chip. It is programmed with specific
data to perform a particular function when it is manufactured.

ROM data cannot be changed – hence the name ‘read only’ – but it is non-volatile and
retains the data when the power is removed.

Read-only memory is most commonly used to store system-level programs required by the
computer to function that are needed at all times.
The most common example is the system BIOS program, which is stored in ROM. Having
this in a permanent ROM means it is available when the power is turned on so that the PC
can use it to boot up the system.

Flash memory
Flash memory, like ROM is non-volatile and like RAM it can be written to.
Flash memory was developed from the type of ROM called ‘electrically erasable
programmable read only memory’ (EEPROM) as mentioned above and was introduced in
1984.
EEPROMs had to be completely erased before they could be written to, but flash memory
can be written to and read in small blocks.

Flash memory consists of transistors that keep their charge even when the power is
switched off called floating gate transistors. (Normal transistors lose their state when the
power is turned off).
At first, all transistors are charged (set to 1). But when a save operation begins, current is
blocked to some transistors, switching them to 0

Flash memory can be used to for the functions usually carried out by ROM but is slower than
RAM and is not used for main memory.

Its main use is in secondary storage devices such as SD cards, USB memory sticks and in
SSDs (solid-state drives) which increasingly being used as the main storage devices in
laptops. They are called solid-state storage devices because they have no moving parts and
are ideal for mobile devices.

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