MEMORY AND ITS TYPES

PRESENTED BY:

INTRODUCTION

Hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output and storage activities of a computer system. Central processing unit (CPU) manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other components. Primary storage internal to the CPU; temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing.

HOW THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WORKS

WHAT IS MEMORY
A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions. Computer memory is the storage space in computer where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

COMPUTER MEMORY
Two basic categories of computer memory: Primary storage and secondary storage. Primary stores small amounts of data and information that will be immediately used by the CPU. Secondary stores much larger amounts of data and information (an entire software program, for example) for extended periods of time.

PRIMARY STORAGE

Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which computer is currently working. It has limited capacity and data gets lost when power is switched off.

Primary storage takes place in chips mounted on the computers main circuit board, called the motherboard. Four main types of primary storage: register, random access memory (RAM), cache memory and read-only memory (ROM).

TYPES OF PRIMARY STORAGE

Registers: registers are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing. Random access memory (RAM): The part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage.

Cache memory: A type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of data used more often.

TYPES PRIMARY STORAGE (CONTINUED)

Read-only memory (ROM): Type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off. Flash memory: A form of rewritable read-only memory that is compact, portable, and requires little energy.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

holds

its data as long as the computer is switched on

All

data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off

Described

as being volatile

It

is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order

Its purpose is to temporarily hold programs and data for processing. In modern computers it also holds the operating system

Types of RAM
1. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) It has short data lifetime Need to refresh continuously Slower as compared to SRAM Used as RAM Lesser in size Less expensive Less power consumption 2. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) It has long data lifetime There is no need to refresh Faster Used as cache memory Large size Expensive High power consumption

10

Read only memory (ROM)

ROM holds programs and data permanently even when computer is switched off
Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct access The contents of ROM are fixed at the time of manufacture

Stores a program called the bootstrap loader that helps start up the computer
Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds

1. Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) Empty of data when manufactured May be permanently programmed by the user

Types of ROM

2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) Can be programmed, erased and reprogrammed The EPROM chip has a small window on top allowing it to be erased by shining ultra-violet light on it Access time is around 45 90 nanoseconds

Types of ROM
3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)

Reprogrammed electrically without using ultraviolet light

Must be removed from the computer and placed in a special machine to do this Access times between 45 and 200 nanoseconds 4. Flash ROM

Similar to EEPROM
However, can be reprogrammed while still in the computer Easier to upgrade programs stored in Flash ROM Used to store programs in devices e.g. modems Access time is around 45 90 nanoseconds

SECONDARY STORAGE

Memory capacity that can store very large amounts of data for extended periods of time. It is nonvolatile. It takes much more time to retrieve data because of the electromechanical nature. It is cheaper than primary storage. It can take place on a variety of media

14

Secondary storage
Sequential access
Magnetic tape Magnetic disk Optical disk

Direct access

Floppy disk

Hard disk

CD-ROM

WORM

15

MAGNETIC TAPES
Magnetic tape is a medium for magnetic recording, made of a thin magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic film Magnetic tape data storage is a system for storing digital information on magnetic tape using digital recording.

Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes.

MAGNETIC TAPES

HARD DISK
A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard disk drive,"

Stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data

HARD DISK

HARD DISK DRIVE

PEN DRIVE

It is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.

USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than an optical disc.

MEMORY CARD OR FLASH CARD

It is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 playersand video game consoles. Most of these can be re-recordable, and can retain data without power.

OPTICAL DISK
A storage medium from which data is read and to which it is written by lasers. There are three basic types of optical disks: CD-ROM : Like audio CDs, CD-ROMs come with data already encoded onto them. The data is permanent and can be read any number of times, but CD-ROMs cannot be modified. WORM : Stands for write-once, read -many. With a WORM disk drive, you can write data onto a WORM disk, but only once. After that, the WORM disk behaves just like a CD-ROM. Erasable: Optical disks that can be erased and loaded with new data, just like magnetic disks.

Disks are all made of magnetic material shaped as thin circular disk and protected by a plastic or acrylic cover

Number of tracks on disk ranges from few hundred to a few thousand Each track typically ranges from tens of KB to 150KB

Because a track usually contains large amount of information, it is divided in to smaller blocks called sectors. The division of a track into sectors is hard coded on the disk surface and cannot be changed.

FLOPPY DISK

A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles.

Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive(FDD).

MEMORY HIERARCHY

28