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Unit 01 (Part 02)

The document provides an overview of computer memory, distinguishing between primary memory (RAM and ROM) and secondary memory, along with their types and characteristics. It also explains the concepts of hardware and software, detailing hardware components and the types of software. Additionally, it covers computer languages, differentiating between low-level and high-level languages, and their respective subcategories.

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jonathangebery
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9 views12 pages

Unit 01 (Part 02)

The document provides an overview of computer memory, distinguishing between primary memory (RAM and ROM) and secondary memory, along with their types and characteristics. It also explains the concepts of hardware and software, detailing hardware components and the types of software. Additionally, it covers computer languages, differentiating between low-level and high-level languages, and their respective subcategories.

Uploaded by

jonathangebery
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Memory units

Computer memory is just like the human brain. It is used to store


data/information and instructions. It is a data storage unit or a data storage device
where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored.
Primary Memory-
It is also known as the main memory of the computer system. It is used to store
data and programs or instructions during computer operations
Primary memory is of two types:

1- RAM (Random Access Memory): It is volatile. Volatile memory stores information based on the
power supply. If the power supply fails/is interrupted/stopped, all the data and information on this
memory will be lost. RAM is used to boot up or start the computer. It temporarily stores
programs/data which has to be executed by the processor.

RAM is of two types:


• SRAM (Static RAM): SRAM uses transistors and the circuits of this memory are capable of retaining
their state as long as the power is applied. This memory consists of the number of flip flops with
each flip flop storing 1 bit. It has less access time and hence, it is faster.
• DRAM (Dynamic RAM): DRAM uses capacitors and transistors and stores the data as a charge on
the capacitors. They contain thousands of memory cells. It needs refreshing of charge on the
capacitor after a few milliseconds. This memory is slower than SRAM.
2- ROM (Read Only Memory): It is a non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory stores information
even when there is a power supply failed/ interrupted/stopped. ROM is used to store information that
is used to operate the system. The information is stored in the ROM in binary format. It is also known
as permanent memory.

ROM is of four types:


• MROM(Masked ROM): Hard-wired devices with a pre-programmed collection of data or instructions
were the first ROMs. Masked ROMs are a type of low-cost ROM that works in this way.
• PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory): This read-only memory is modifiable once by the user.
The user purchases a blank PROM and uses a PROM program to put the required contents into the
PROM. Its content can’t be erased once written.
• EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory): EPROM is an extension to PROM where you
can erase the content of ROM by exposing it to Ultraviolet rays for nearly 40 minutes.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory): Here the written contents can be
erased electrically. You can delete and reprogram EEPROM up to 10,000 times. Erasing and
programming take very little time, i.e., nearly 4 -10 ms(milliseconds). Any area in an EEPROM can be
wiped and programmed selectively.
Secondary Memory-
It is also known as auxiliary memory and backup memory. It is a non-volatile memory
and is used to store a large amount of data or information. The data or information
stored in secondary memory is permanent, and it is slower than primary memory.

Types of Secondary Memory:

i. Magnetic Tapes: Magnetic tape is a long, narrow strip of plastic film with a thin,
magnetic coating on it that is used for magnetic recording. Bits are recorded on tape
as magnetic patches called RECORDS that run along many tracks.
ii. Magnetic Disks: A magnetic disk is a circular metal or a plastic plate and these
plates are coated with magnetic material. The disc is used on both sides. Bits are
stored in magnetized surfaces in locations called tracks that run in concentric rings.
iii. Optical Disks: It’s a laser-based storage medium that can be written to and read. It
is reasonably priced and has a long lifespan. The optical disc can be taken out of the
computer by occasional users.
Hardware and Software concept
Hardware
The term hardware refers to a mechanical device that makes up a computer.
Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that we can use
to control the computer’s operation, input, and output. Examples of hardware are
CPU, keyboard, mouse, hard disk, etc.
Hardware Components-
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Printer
• Monitor
• Hard drive
• Power supply
• Motherboard
• Central processing unit (CPU)
Software
A set of instructions that drives a computer to do stipulated tasks is called a
program. Software instructions are programmed in a computer language,
translated into machine language, and executed by a computer.

The software can be of three types −

1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Utility Software
Computer Register?
Registers are a type of computer memory used to quickly accept, store, and
transfer data and instructions that are being used immediately by the CPU. The
registers used by the CPU are often termed Processor registers.

There are different types of registers-

a. Accumulator Register
b. Program Counter (PC) Register
c. General-Purpose Registers
d. Instruction Register (IR)
e. Memory Address Register (MAR)
f. Memory Data Register (MDR)
g. Stack Pointer (SP)
h. Floating-Point Registers
Computer Languages

What are Computer Languages?


A group of instructions that are used to create computer programs are known
as computer languages. The main aim of these languages is to make human-
computer interaction possible and easy. We humans have invented these
computer languages to make our work easier by making our tasks done by the
computer.

Types of Computer Languages-

1. Low-level language
a- Machine level language
b- Assembly language
2. High level language
1. Low-Level Language
A Low-level computer language consists of only 1’s and 0’s. First and Second-generation
computers were first built using this language. This type of language is easily understood by
a computer but it is very difficult for humans to understand this. It has two types- Machine-
level language and assembly-level language.

a. Machine Level Language


Machine-level language is a type of Low-level language. This language is believed to
be the oldest computer language. Computers tend to understand only the language of
Digital Electronics which deals with the presence and absence of voltages. 2 logics can play
their role within the computer which are-

Positive Logic: In this, the presence of voltage is denoted by 1 and the absence of
voltage is denoted by 0.
Negative Logic: Here, the presence of voltage is denoted by 0 while the absence of
voltage is denoted by 1.
b. Assembly Level Language
The assembly-level language was introduced with the advancement of machine-level
language. This computer language uses symbols, popularly known as mnemonics in
computer terminology to write the instructions. Hence, writing a program in assembly-level
language is more understandable to humans than machine-level language. In this language,
symbolic names are used to denote addresses and data. The assembly language code gets
converted into a machine language code with the help of an assembler so that the
computer can understand the binary-converted assembly language.
2. High-Level Language
High-Level Languages are the advanced development languages in the evolution of
computer languages. The main goal of these languages is to make programming easier and
less error-free. These high-level languages use words and commands along with symbols
and numbers. High-level programming languages are created to be more user-friendly and
easier for humans to understand than Low-level languages. They use keywords similar to
English words, making coding more intuitive.
Examples of High-Level Programming languages are-

• C
• C++
• Java
• Java Script
• Python
• C#
• PHP

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