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IGCSE ICT Chapter 17 Q6 - Answer

The document provides an overview of computer memory, detailing types such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory. RAM is volatile and allows for random access of data, while ROM is non-volatile and contains permanent data essential for system functions. Flash memory, derived from EEPROM, is also non-volatile and used in secondary storage devices, offering a balance between RAM and ROM functionalities.

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7 views5 pages

IGCSE ICT Chapter 17 Q6 - Answer

The document provides an overview of computer memory, detailing types such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory. RAM is volatile and allows for random access of data, while ROM is non-volatile and contains permanent data essential for system functions. Flash memory, derived from EEPROM, is also non-volatile and used in secondary storage devices, offering a balance between RAM and ROM functionalities.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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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.

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RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM consists of billions of storage locations them in order until it finds the correct one.
each of which can store a byte of data and Digital tape storage is random access.
each has an address so that the CPU knows
where to store (write) and retrieve (read) data
and instructions. Data can be read from and also written to
RAM. It is used to store instructions and data.
RAM is ‘random access’ because each The contents of RAM are therefore constantly
memory location can be accessed in any changing as a program is running.
order if the ‘address’ of that location is
specified. This speeds up data retrieval as the RAM is said to be volatile because if there is
CPU can go to any location in any order. no electrical power then the RAM will lose all
Serial access means it would have to start of its dat
each time at the first location and go through
a.

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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.

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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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