Random Access Memory (RAM) : Another main memory is the
Random Access Memory. This is a temporary memory. It is also called volatile
memory. It is loaded when we switch on the computer and deleted when computer
is switched off. Instance of all the data that is to be processed is loaded to
this memory. Another feature of this memory is the fast and quickness as
compared to Secondary memory because this memory needs to be communicated
directly with the Central Processing Unit. Set of data flows from this memory to
the Central Processing Unit for processing which returns the output to the RAM,
then another set of data flows for processing and the final output, the final
processed data provided to the RAM is used to store in the Secondary memory.
The memories that transfer data from/to memories and CPU are
called Registers, Buses etc.
Some terms concerning the Memories are briefed as under :
Unit Of Measurement : Unit of Measurement of Memory is Bit
and Byte. Data in generally available computers is stored in the form of charge
ON and OFF on the electronic media. ON state of charge represents 1 and OFF
state represents 0. So data is stored in the form of 0 and 1. One charge i.e.
one 1 or one 0 is called Bit. Eight bit standard code equals one Byte. One byte
represents one character. Then 1024 Bytes are One KiloBytes or One KB. 1024
KiloBytes equals 1 (One) MegaByte or 1 (One) MB. 1024 MegaBytes equals 1(One)
GigaByte or 1(One) GB and more. We will study this in detail in the next
chapters.
Storage Capacity : The amount of data that an electronic
storage device can store in it is called Storage Capacity of the device i.e.
the amount of MBs or GBs etc. an electronic storage device can store is called
storage capacity of the device.
