A memory or a store is an important component of a digital computer. it stores programs and data.

a memory is made up of a large number of cells, with each cell capable of storing one bit. the cells are organized as a set of addressable words, each word storing a sequence of bits. memory can be broadly divided into two categories, depending upon technology: (i) Primary storage and (ii) Secondary storage Primary store is also called main memory or semi conductor memory. It stores data and instructions currently needed by CPU. It is much faster than secondary memory and has lower capacity than secondary memory. Hence it is more costly than secondary memory. There are mainly two types of main memory: (i) RAM (Random Access Memory) Memory) (i) RAM: RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The main memory is usually referred to as RAM. In RAM, it is possible to select any memory location randomly to store information or to retrieve information. The access time is same for any memory location. Since information can be written into or read from RAMs, they are used as read/write memory of the computer system. The memory is volatile because it retains information only when the power supply is on. Thus, the programmer has to reload a program each time when the power supply is interrupted. There are two types of RAMs: Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM). SRAM retains the stored information as long as power supply is on, but a DRAM retains its contents only for a few milliseconds. I.e. it stores information in the form of a charge on a capacitor. Therefore, the contents must be refreshed regularly. It is because of this reason that DRAMs are provided with refreshing and control circuitry. DRAMs are cheaper, have high packing density, have moderate speed and consume less power. SRAMs are costlier and consume more power. Along with a refreshing circuitry, they need read/write facility also. But they are faster than DRAMs. (ii) ROM: ROM stands for Read Only Memory. In ROM, information is permanently stored i.e. it is non-volatile memory. The information from the memory can be only read and is not possible to write new information into it. The contents of ROM are not lost or erased even when power supply is terminated. Such memories are also known as field stores, permanent stores or dead stores. It is generally used to store initialing (ii) ROM (Read Only

programs of a computer, microcodes of a CISC processor, fixed programs in microcontrollers etc. it is simple, cheap and dense. ROM chips are provided by computer manufactures and its not possible for the user to change the contents of a ROM chip. PROM: a PROM is a Programmable ROM. In PROM, the contents are decided by the user. The user can store permanent programs or any kind of information in a PROM. However, once the chip has been programmed, the recorded information cannot be changed. EPROM: EPROM stands for Erasable PROM. As the name suggests it is possible to erase the contents of an EPROM chip. The stored data in EPROM is erased by exposing it to high density short wave ultraviolet light for 20 minutes. EPROMs are used to store programs which are permanent but need updating. EEPROM: EEPROM is Electrically Erasable PROM. The chip can be erased and reprogrammed on byte by byte basis. Hence selective erasing is possible. Its disadvantage is that it requires different voltages for erasing (21 V), writing (21 V) and reading (5 V) the stored information. It also has high cost and low reliability. Secondary storage: A computer is able to store bulk of data and retrieve or access the stored information as and when required. The bulk of data cant be stored in main memory as this memory is costly and naturally some other cheaper memory devices are required. These cheaper memory devices are called secondary storage devices and can store bulk of data at very low cost. Data are stored in secondary storage in same binary codes as in main memory and are made available as and when required. The commonly used secondary storage devices are (i) Floppy Disk: a floppy disk is a very popular 2 storage device for micro and mini computers. A floppy is a round, flat piece of plastic coated with iron oxide and encased in a plastic cover. Floppies come in 2 physical sizes 5 inch and 3 inch. The head actually contacts the surface during reading/writing, in other times its lifted up from the surface. The hole at the center is to allow a spindle to lock the floppy so that it can rotate. The index hole is used to recognize the starting sector of any track. The purpose of write permit notch is to protect valuable information on the floppy from accidental damage. If this notch is covered, writing is not allowed on the floppy. (ii) Hard Disk: hard disk is the most popular 2 storage medium. It is also called magnetic disk and is made of aluminium or other metal alloys. The disk is coated on

both sides with magnetic material (iron oxide). Unlike a floppy disk, a hard disk cannot be inserted or removed from hard disk drive. A disk drive is a device that writes information on recording platters that resemble gramophone records. Disk drive reads information written on the disk. They have read/write heads to read from or write into the disks. In order to increase the storage capacity, a large no of disks or platters are grouped together and mounted on a common drive to form a disk pack (cylinder). A cylinder usually consists of 6 platters, with 2 surfaces, one above the other. Each surface has concentric circles dividing the disks into tracks. Each track is divided into a no of fixed length physical blocks called sectors. Sectors are the smallest unit of data for transfer. Sectors are separated by inter record gaps. Disks are available in different sizes with different speeds. No of tracks is generally 800 and no of sectors per track is 64. (iii) CD-ROM: CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk ROM. The disk is made of a resin, such as polycarbonate and is coated with a material that is highly reflective, such as aluminium. The disk is 5.25 inch in diameter. Its an optical storage media that make use of pinpoint precision which is possible with laser beams. Data is recorded by focusing a laser beam on the surface of the disk. The laser beam is turned on and off at a varying rate. Hence tiny holes are produced on the metal coating. In order to read the stored data, a less powerful beam is focused on the disk surface. This beam is strongly reflected by the coated surface and weakly reflected at the pits, there by producing on-off reflection patterns. This is converted into electronic signals. The capacity of CD-ROM is 600 MB and track density is 16000 tracks per inch.

Floppy Disk Also known as floppies or micro disks Data is stored in the form of concentric circles

Hard Disk Also known as fixed disks Data is stored in the form of concentric circles

CD-ROM Also known as optical disks Data is stored in the form of single spiral track

The computer takes more time to read from the floppy disk Data can be read or written as and when required (reused) Portable Less complicated drive mechanism Very less storage capacity (1.44 MB) Cheap

The computer takes less time to read from the hard disk Data can be read or written as and when required (reused) Non-portable Less complicated drive mechanism Large storage capacity ( virtually unlimited) Costly Not better for data archiving as compared to CD-ROM

The computer takes more time to read from a CD-ROM Its a permanent storage medium. Data once recorded, cannot be erased, hence not reusable Portable More complicated drive mechanism Moderate storage capacity (650 MB) cheap Have a storage life in excess of 30 years. Hence a good storage medium for data archiving

Not at all used for data archiving