What is Computer Memory?
What is Computer Memory?
Definition of Computer Memory – It is the Physical device which is capable of storing large amount of data or information temporarily or permanently. The best example of memory is RAM (Random Access Memory). There are two main types of memory – Primary and Secondary Memory. The answer to What is Computer Memory? is continued..
History of Computer Memory?
In 1940, the memory built has the capacity of a few bytes. The vacuum tube Acumulator used in ENIAC could perform calculation upto 20 number of ten decimal digits. The next significant advancement in memory came with acoustic delay line memory. It has the capacity up to a few hundred thousand bits. In 1960, Magnetic core memory had became the dominant form of memory used in computers. Now with the introduction of semiconductor based memory very large amount of data can be stored easily.
What is Primary Memory?
Primary Memory is defined as the storage area which is directly accessible by CPU. The examples are RAM, ROM and Cache Memory. The primary memory is embedded into our computer machine or motherboard. After closing any program or application the work what we have done is stored in default memory known as primary memory.
RAM (Random Access Memory) – It is a type of memory which stores frequently used program or data to enhance the general speed of a computer. The RAM allows data to read or write in almost same amount of time irrespective of physical location of data inside the memory. RAM contains Multiplexing and demultiplexing circuitry to connect the data lines to the addressed storage for reading or writing the entry. RAM is a volatile type of memory. It is divided into two memory units – DRAM and SRAM.
ROM (Read Only Memory) – By the name it is clear that it can only be used to read the data, no modification can be done to the data stored in ROM. ROM is a non-volatile type of memory. It can further divided into four type of Memory – Mask ROM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM.
Mask ROM – It is a type of ROM whose data or information is programmed by IC Manufacturer at the time of Photolithography.
PROM – The full form of PROM is Programmable Read Only Memory, whose data is permanent and cannot be changed. It is generally used in low level program called firmware.
EPROM – The full form of EPROM is Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, whose data are retained even after the power supply is switched off. It is a type of Non Volatile memory.
EEPROM – The full form of EEPROM is Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, whose data are programmed and erased in circuit by applying special programming signals.
What is Cache Memory?
Cache memory is a volatile type computer memory that provides high-speed data access to computer processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data. It is the fastest memory in a computer, which is integrated onto the motherboard and directly embedded in the processor or main memory called RAM.
What is Secondary Memory?
Secondary memory is computer memory that is non-volatile in nature and is not directly accessed by a computer processor or computer itself. It allows a user to store data which can be instantly & easily retrieved, portable and used by applications and services. Secondary memory is also called as secondary storage. Some of the examples of secondary memory are USB Pen drive, Hard Disk drive (HDD), SD card, Flash memory etc. So this few information about What is Computer Memory?.