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MEMORY

PRIMARY SECONDARY

RAM ROM HARD DISK CD-ROM/RW FLASH DRIVE


MEMORY
Memory refers to the physical devices used to store programs (sequences of instructions) or
data (e.g. Program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a
computer or other digital electronic device.
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, the
computer's memory doesn't get worse over time.
PRIMARY MEMORY
It is also known as internal or main memory. Primary memory is computer memory that is
accessed directly by the CPU. This includes several types of memory, such as the processor
cache and system ROM. However, in most cases, primary memory refers to system RAM.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM, or random access memory, consists of one or more memory modules that
temporarily store data while a computer is running. RAM is volatile memory, meaning it is
erased when the power is turned off. As the computer loads parts of the operating system and
drivers are loaded into memory, which allows the CPU to process the instructions much
faster and your computer to load faster. After the operating system has loaded, each program
you open such as the browser you're using to view this page is loaded into memory while it is
running.





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ROM (Read Only Memory)
ROM is memory containing hardwired instructions that the computer uses when it boots up,
before the system software loads. In PCs, the instructions are read from a small program in
the ROM, called the BIOS (basic input/output system).
ROM is a type of "built-in" memory that is capable of holding data and having that data read
from the chip, but not written to. Unlike Random Access Memory (RAM), ROM is non-
volatile which means it keeps its contents regardless if it has power or not.






SECONDARY MEMORY
Alternatively referred to as external memory and secondary storage is a storage medium that
holds information until it is deleted or overwritten regardless if the computer has power.
Secondary memory (or secondary storage) is the slowest and cheapest form of memory. It
cannot be processed directly by the CPU. It must first be copied into primary storage (also
known as RAM ).
HARD DISK
When you save data or install programs on your computer, the information is typically
written to your hard disk. The hard disk is a spindle of magnetic disks, called platters, that
record and store information. Because the data is stored magnetically, information recorded
to the hard disk remains intact after you turn your computer off.
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital
information using rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. An HDD
retains its data even when powered off. Data is read in a random-access manner, meaning
individual blocks of data can be stored or retrieved in any order rather than sequentially. An
HDD consists of one or more rigid ("hard") rapidly rotating disks (platters) with magnetic
heads arranged on a moving actuator arm to read and write data to the surfaces.




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CD ROM/ RW
Stands for "compact disc read-only memory." a CD-ROM is a CD that can be read by a
computer with an optical drive. The "ROM" part of the term means the data on the disc is
"read-only," or cannot be altered or erased. The first CD-ROMs could hold about 600 mb of
data, but now they can hold up to 700 mb. CD-ROMs share the same technology as audio
CDs, but they are formatted differently, allowing them to store many types of data.
A CD-RW (compact disc-rewritable) is a rewritable optical disc. It was introduced in 1997,
and was known as "CD-writable" during development.





FLASH DRIVE
Flash drives have many names jump drives, thumb drives, pen drives, and USB keychain
drives. Regardless of what you call them, they all refer to the same thing, which is a small
data storage device that uses flash memory and has a built-in USB connection.
Flash drives are typically no more than two to three inches in length and less than an inch in
width. Their size and shape may resemble a thumb or a small pen (which is where the names
"thumb drive" and "pen drive" come from).
A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and
rewritable, and physically much smaller than an optical disc. Most weigh less than 30 grams
(1.1 oz). As of January 2013, drives of up to 512 gigabytes (GB) are available.





Memory is measured in term of bits and bytes.
8 bits = 1 byte
1000 bytes = 1 Kilobyte
1000 kilobytes = 1 Megabyte
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1000 megabytes = 1 Gigabyte
1000 gigabytes = 1 Terabyte

HARDWARE
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitute a computer system.
Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as monitor,
keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk, mouse, system unit (graphic cards, sound
cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. All of which are physical objects that you can
actually touch.









SOFTWARE
Software is untouchable. Software exists as ideas, application, concepts, and symbols, but it
has no substance. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.
Software is a general term. It can refer to all computer instructions in general, or to any
specific set of computer instructions.
Computer software is a set of programs, procedures, functions, associated data and/or its
documentation, if any.






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SOFTWARE

SYSTEM APPLICATION
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is a program that manages and supports the computer resources and
operations of a computer system while it executes various tasks such as processing data and
information, controlling hardware components, and allowing users to use different programs.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software consists of programs that direct computers to perform specific
information processing activities for end users. These programs are called application
packages because they direct the processing required for a particular use, or application,
which users want to accomplish. Thousands of application packages are available because
there are thousands of different jobs end users want computers to do.

UTILITIES
Utility software is a part of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or
maintain a computer. Utility software usually focuses on how the computer infrastructure
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(including the computer hardware, operating system, application software and data storage)
operates. Due to this focus, utilities are often rather technical and targeted at people with an
advanced level of computer knowledge.