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29 Mar 2011

Computer Memory

                   Just like humans, computers rely a lot on memory.They need to process and store data, just like we do.However computers store data in digital format, which means the information can always be called up exactly the way it was stored.Also, unlike our memory computers memory didn't get worse overtime.While memory can refer to any medium of  data storage, it usually refers to RAM or Random access memory.While your computer boots up it loads the OS into its memory, or RAM.This allow your computer to access system function such as handling mouse and keystroke, since the event handlers are all loaded into RAM

                  RAM is a very high-speed type of memory, which make it deal for storing active programs and system process.It is different than Hard disc space  in that RAM is made up of physical memory chips, while hard disc are magnetic discs that spins inside a Hard drive.Accessing RAM is much faster than accessing the hard disc because RAM access is based electric charges, while hard drive need to seek to the correct part of the disc before accessing the data.However all the information stored in RAM is erased when computers's power is turned off..The hard disc on the other hand, store data magnetically without requiring electrical power.Another common type of memory is Flash memory, which is typically used for small devices such as Digital cameras, USB key-chain drives and portable music player like the iPod nano.This kind of memory, known as ' EEPROM ' or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory is convenient for portable devices.Since it stores information even its power source is turned off, but is smaller and more resilient than a Hard drive.To summaries, memory is the vital part of computers and other electronic devices to function.

The computer memory is mainly classified into two :

Primary Memory

Secondary Memory


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