Types Of Computer Memory

Computer memory is responsible for storing data and applications on a temporary or a permanent basis.Without a memory device/arrangement in place, the processor would not be able to find a place which is needed to store the  calculations and processes. There are various types of computer memory  that can be installed, depending upon the actual need for functioning and  specifications of the system. Computer memory can be primarily classified into two types those are Primary Memory and Secondary Memory.

                                                            

                                                            PRIMARY MEMORY

Primary Memory (also called main memory), is used for immediate access of data by the processor. While primary memory storage demonstrates faster processing ability, it is costly and hence is not largely used for data storage. Primary Memory can be divided into two types - Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). RAM retains its contents as long as the power supply is on. A RAM chip is used as primary memory in most computers today.

Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is a memory scheme within the computer system responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed. It is volatile in nature, which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is turned off.

There are primarily two forms of RAM: Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM).

Static RAM: The most expensive of the lot, SRAM uses bistable latching circuitry to store one bit each, and hence is faster than its counterpart. Its high price prevents it from being widely used in everyday computing machines, but many modern machines use SRAM as the processor's cache register.

Dynamic RAM: Widely used in modern computers as primary memory, DRAM is slower than SRAM, but is inexpensive due to its one transistor-one capacitor paired assembly of memory storage.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Unlike RAM, ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off. In spite of this, ROM was used (in rare cases is still used) as the primary device for most computers back in the '80s. This was because ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified. As the name itself suggests, data can only be accessed and read by the user, not overwritten, upgraded, or modified.

                                                           SECONDARY MEMORY
Secondary memory is available on mass storage devices for permanent data storage. Data stored on a secondary device is retained even when it is not supplied any power.

Unlike primary memory, secondary memory is not directly accessible by the computer. When a computer needs to run or execute an application stored in secondary memory, it first brings it to primary memory storage for a while, to control and carry out its execution. Once execution of the application is done, the processor releases the application and restores its control and memory data with the secondary memory device.

Popular secondary memory devices include hard disk drives, flash drives (pen drives, memory cards etc.), and zip drives....