UNIT-2

COMPUTER MEMORY

Memory is part of the computer system which stores the data and instructions. The two
types of storage are primary storage and secondary storage. The performance of the
computer system depends upon the size of the memory.
Types of Memory
1) Primary Memory / Volatile Memory.
2) Secondary Memory / Non Volatile Memory.

Primary Memory / Volatile Memory: Primary Memory is internal memory of the

computer. RAM AND ROM both are part of primary memory. The primary memory
provides main working space to the computer.

Random Access Memory (RAM): It is a type of computer memory that is used to store data
that is actively being used and processed by a computer's central processing unit (CPU). The
primary storage is referred as random access memory (RAM) because it is possible to
randomly use any location of the memory, to store and retrieve data. It takes same time to
access any address of the memory as the first address. RAM is volatile memory, meaning it
loses its contents when the power is turned off.

• Static RAM (SRAM):- Data is stored in transistors requires a constant power flow.
Because of the continuous power, SRAM doesn’t need to be refreshed to remember
the data stored. SRAM is called static as refreshing is not needed to keep the data
intact. It is used in cache memories.

• Dynamic RAM (DRAM):-DRAM must be continually refreshed in order to maintain the

data. This is done by placing the memory on a refresh circuit that rewrites the data
several hundred times per second. Capacitors store data in DRAM gradually
discharge energy; no energy means the data has been lost. So, a periodic refresh of
power is required in order to function. It is used to implement main memory.

Read Only Memory (ROM): The storage of program and data in the ROM is permanent. The
ROM stores some standard programs supplied by the manufacturers to operate the personal
computer. The basic input/output program is stored in the ROM that examines and initializes
various devices attached to the PC when the power is switch ON. The ROM can only be read
by the CPU but it cannot be changed.

▪ PROM: PROM stands for programmable Read-Only Memory. It is a computer memory

 chip that can be programmed once it has been created. The data that is stored in
PROM becomes permanent and cannot be altered or deleted.

▪ EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, which overcomes the problem
of PROM & ROM. EPROM chip, can be programmed again by erasing the information
stored earlier in it. When the EPROM is in use information can only be read, and the
memory chip can be written and erased by exposing it to UV light.

▪ EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory): The

EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and reprogrammed
about ten thousand times. It is a memory chip that can be reprogrammed and erased
by using electricity. An example of EEPROM is flash memory.

Cache Memory: The speed of CPU is extremely high compared to the access time of main
memory. Therefore the performance of CPU decreases due to the slow speed of main
memory. To overcome this mismatch in operating speed, a small memory chip is attached
between CPU and Main memory whose access time is very close to the processing speed of
CPU. It is called CACHE memory. CACHE memories are accessed much faster than RAM. It
is used to store programs or data currently being executed or temporary data frequently used
by the CPU.

Registers: The CPU processes data and instructions with high speed; there is also
movement of data between various units of computer. It is necessary to transfer the
processed data with high speed. So the computer uses a number of special memory units
called registers. They are not part of the main memory but they store data or information
temporarily and pass it on as directed by the control unit.

Secondary Memory: Secondary memory is external and permanent in nature. The secondary
memory is concerned with magnetic memory. Secondary memory can be stored on storage
media like floppy disks, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes; this memory can also be stored
optically on Optical disks - CD-ROM. The following terms comes under secondary memory of
a computer are discussed below: Information stored on secondary storage devices can be
accessed in two ways:

• Sequential Access
• Direct Access

Sequential memory Access

Sequential access means the system must search the storage device from the beginning of the
memory address until it finds the required piece of data. Memory device which supports such
access is called a Sequential Access Memory or Serial Access Memory. Magnetic tape is an
example of Sequential access memory.

Magnetic Tape
A magnetic tape is a ribbon, which is coated with a thin layer of iron oxide
material on one side. This tape is stored on a cassette or cartridge, or reel .The
 iron oxide material can be magnetized and the data is recorded on the tape in
the form of magnetized and non-magnetized spots. A magnetic tape drive is
used to read data from the tape or write information to the tape. The tape drive
has a read/write head to access or store information respectively.

Direct Memory Access

Direct Memory Access or Random Access Memory, the data at any location on the storage unit
can be accessed directly without follow the sequence in which it has been stored.

Magnetic Disk: Magnetic disk is direct access storage device. The data is read or
written onto the disk surface with the use of read/write heads. A magnetic disk is a thin
metallic platter circular in shape. It is coated on both sides with magnetic material. A
number of these disks are mounted on a disk pack, Thus all the disks in the disk pack
move at the same speed, simultaneously in the same direction. These disks are also
called as hard disks or fixed disks. Hard disk can be permanently installed in the drive
or can also be in the form of a removable cartridge. The data are recorded as magnetic
spots on the coating of the disk. Each disk is divided into a number of concentric circles
called tracks. All the corresponding tracks in all the surfaces are together called a
cylinder.

Floppy Disks: Floppy disks are made up of flexible Mylar coated with iron oxide. This
disk is enclosed in a square plastic jacket to protect the surface of the disk from dust. A
floppy disk is to be inserted in the floppy disk drive of the computer system to read or
write information. The read/write head of the drive makes a direct contact with the
floppy disk. Floppy disks are a very popular storage medium since they are small in
size, relatively cheap and can store data on line. Floppy disks are also very portable.
They can be carried form one place to another very easily.

Optical Disk: An optical disk is made up of a rotating disk which is coated with a thin
reflective metal. To record data on the optical disk, a laser beam is focused on the
surface of the spinning disk. The laser beam is turned on and off at varying rates! Due
to this, tiny holes (pits) are burnt into the metal coating along the tracks. When data
stored on the optical disk is to be read, a less powerful laser beam is focused on the
disk surface. The storage capacity of these devices is tremendous; the Optical disk
access time is relatively fast. The biggest drawback of the optical disk is that it is a
permanent storage device. data once written cannot be erased. Therefore it is a read
only storage medium. A typical example of the optical disk is the CD-ROM.