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Memory is necessary for a computer to work, because it needs to store data somewhere. In the new publication in BizUpLab blog we will understand how computer memory works, talk about what RAM, ROM, SSD, HDD are and what is the difference between them.
All memory can be divided into internal memory, aka primary memory, and external memory, also called secondary memory. Internal memory stores a small amount of data that can be quickly accessed while the computer is running. External memory holds larger amounts of data on a constant basis, but it is slower. To operate successfully, the computer combines the two: external memory stores data, internal memory works with data. The data is loaded into the internal memory and then the processor already interacts with it directly to perform read or write operations.
All memory can be divided into internal memory, aka primary memory, and external memory, also called secondary memory. Internal memory stores a small amount of data that can be quickly accessed while the computer is running. External memory holds larger amounts of data on a constant basis, but it is slower. To operate successfully, the computer combines the two: external memory stores data, internal memory works with data. The data is loaded into the internal memory and then the processor already interacts with it directly to perform read or write operations.
How does a computer do this? Memory is made up of several locations, each with a unique number or address, which the processor accesses. Inside the memory, transistors and capacitors work in pairs - such a pair forms 1 bit of data. The capacitor stores ones and zeros, and the transistor switches this data.
How computer memory works
Internal Memory
What is considered internal memory? It is the RAM, aka RAM (Random Access Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory).
RAM - memory is very fast, you can write and read data into it, and it is also energy-dependent: if there is no power supply, data is lost. When the computer boots up, the currently executable data, such as the operating system, goes into RAM.
There are two types of RAM:
Another type of internal memory is ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a permanent memory device (ROM), i.e. a memory designed only for reading information from it (with few exceptions). This is a very fast memory, and it usually stores the data you need to start your computer. ROM, by the way, is non-volatile - in the absence of power, the data will be saved.
Moving on. Cache memory is a very fast memory. It is used for frequently used programmes and data as a buffer between the processor and RAM. To put it conventionally, the processor will first check the cache, and if it doesn't find the necessary data, it will go to the RAM.
RAM - memory is very fast, you can write and read data into it, and it is also energy-dependent: if there is no power supply, data is lost. When the computer boots up, the currently executable data, such as the operating system, goes into RAM.
There are two types of RAM:
- DRAM (Dynamic RAM) is the most popular type of RAM. Earlier computers used to use DRAM with single data rate (SDR - Single Data Rate), but now everyone uses DRAM with double data rate (DDR - Dual Data Rate).
- SRAM (Static RAM) is faster than DRAM, but more expensive. So SRAM is usually used only as a data cache inside the processor itself or as RAM in cool servers.
Another type of internal memory is ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a permanent memory device (ROM), i.e. a memory designed only for reading information from it (with few exceptions). This is a very fast memory, and it usually stores the data you need to start your computer. ROM, by the way, is non-volatile - in the absence of power, the data will be saved.
Moving on. Cache memory is a very fast memory. It is used for frequently used programmes and data as a buffer between the processor and RAM. To put it conventionally, the processor will first check the cache, and if it doesn't find the necessary data, it will go to the RAM.
Let's start with magnetic storage devices. They are coated with a special magnetic material, and the data on them is encoded as the same ones and zeros. Magnetic fields are used to magnetise tiny individual sections of a metal rotating disc. Each magnetised section is a binary one and each demagnetised section is a binary zero. This type of memory is cheap, reliable and quite durable. Examples of such memory are HDD (hard disk drive), which is non-volatile, magnetic tape (VHS, Video Home System) and floppy-disks (floppy discs). They all work on a similar principle.
SSD (Solid State Drive, Solid State Disk) is a non-volatile, rewritable computer storage device with no moving mechanical parts. These devices are portable, less hot, last longer, and operate relatively faster than traditional hard drives. They operate using transistors, much like RAM, except they don't lose their data when switched off. This is possible by using a technology known as flash memory. Examples of such devices are SSD (Solid-State Drive) and USB (Universal Serial Bus).
SSD (Solid State Drive, Solid State Disk) is a non-volatile, rewritable computer storage device with no moving mechanical parts. These devices are portable, less hot, last longer, and operate relatively faster than traditional hard drives. They operate using transistors, much like RAM, except they don't lose their data when switched off. This is possible by using a technology known as flash memory. Examples of such devices are SSD (Solid-State Drive) and USB (Universal Serial Bus).
External memory
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