by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Memory Devices

Memory devices are device that can be used to store data or instructions on a
temporary or permanent basis for use in an electronic computer system. Computers
represent information in binary code, written as sequences of logical 0s and 1s.
Each binary digit / bit may be stored by memory device that can be in either of
two stable states, to represent 0 and 1. Computer data storage, also called storage
or memory device, for recording that retain digital data used for computing same
time or later.

The storage devices are one of the most important components of the
computer system. The storage devices are used to record the data over any
storage surface. The memories may also be of different types depending upon the
architecture and the design. The data Storage Devices come in many sizes and
shapes. The technology used for the storage of the data over them is also
altogether different. The technology is improving a lot and now the memory
storage capacity has gone up TB (Tera Byte).

Storage devices store data & instructions along with information on how to
control and manage these memory devices of a computer. Memory devices & their
organization can be characterized by following parameters-

(1) Access Time - This refers to the time required for performing read / write
operation from a particular level of memory.

(2) Memory Size - This represents to size of memory i.e. how many numbers of
byte can be stored on a particular memory device at a time. Memory size is
measure by following units.

 Bit - This is a basic unit of Memory Measurement. Single Bit can behold only of
two values i.e. 1 or 0.

Byte: Single byte consist 8 Bits. (01 Byte = 08 Bits)

1 KiloByte (1 KB) (2)10 Byte OR (1024)1 Bytes

1 MegaByte (1 MB) (2)20 Byte OR (1024)2 Bytes

Basic Computers Part 4 Page 1 of 4

(Memory Device Part 1)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

1 GigaByte (1 GB) (2)30 Byte OR (1024)3 Bytes

1 TeraByte (1 TB) (2)40 Byte OR (1024)4 Bytes

1 Petabyte (1 PB) (2)50 Byte OR (1024)5 Bytes

1 ExaByte (1 EB) (2)60 Byte OR (1024)6 Bytes

1 ZettaByte (1 ZB) (2)70 Byte OR (1024)7 Bytes

1 YottaByte (1 YB) (2)80 Byte OR (1024)8 Bytes

(3) Access Mode - This define method by which information can be accessed from
memory. Following are accessed from memory. Following are access methods:-

i) Random Access Method (RAM) - In this access mode any memory location can be accessed in any
order in the same time period. Example : ROM, RAM, cache memory etc.
(ii) Sequential Memory - In this mode memory is accessed in pre-defined order. Example Magnetic
Tape
(iii) Direct / Semi-Sequential Memory - This mode is mid-way between Sequential & Random Access
Mode for access information from memory. Example : Hard Disk, CD, DVD, Floppy etc.

(4) Cost Per Bit - This define to cost to store one bit on a particular memory
device. We can calculate cost per bit by following formula.

Cost per Bit = Cost of memory device / Memory size.

(5) Unit of transfer - This define to number of bits / bytes read / write (transfer)
between two adjacent levels of memory.

The volatile memory is the kind of the memory that is erase content data when
power supply down or interrupt and the non-volatile memory is that does not
erase content data because of power supply down or interrupt but one can erase
data purposely. The memory is of two types

i) Primary Memory
ii) Secondary Memory

Basic Computers Part 4 Page 2 of 4

(Memory Device Part 1)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Primary Memory of three types –

1.0 CPU Registers
2.0 Random Access Memory [RAM]
2.1 Main Memory
2.2 Cache Memory
3.0 Read Only Memory [ROM]
3.1 PROM
3.2 EPROM
3.3 EEPROM
3.4 Flash Memory

Secondary Memory of two types –

1.0 Magnetic Memory
1.1 Magnetic Tapes
1.2 Hard Disk Drive
1.3 Floppy Drive
2.0 Optical Memory
2.1 CD
2.2 CD-RW
2.3 DVD

Basic Computers Part 4 Page 3 of 4

(Memory Device Part 1)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Exercise – 4

Fill in the blanks –

1. Memory devices are used to store data and _____________ on

__________ & ___________ basis.

2. The data Storage Devices come in many ________ and _________.

3. Access Time refers to the time required for performing ________ and

__________ operations.

4. _______ is a basic unit of Memory Measurement. One byte consist ____ bits.
5. One Gigabyte consist ______ bytes or _______ bytes.
6. ________ & _______ are part of primary memory device.

7. The _________ memory is the kind of the memory that is erase content

data when power supply down or interrupt.

8. The memory is of two types _________ Memory and _________ Memory.

9. One Terabyte consist ______ bytes or _______ bytes.

10. CD and DVD are part of _________ memory.

Basic Computers Part 4 Page 4 of 4

(Memory Device Part 1)