Computer Memory

An integral part of the system unit is the computer's memory, where text and numbers
are stored. For example, a number can be stored in the computer's memory and
retrieved later to be used in a multiplication operation.

There are two very different sorts of memory:

ROM memory
RAM memory

These are described below.

ROM Memory

ROM stands for Read Only Memory. It is a pre-programmed memory chip containing
vital information for the computer to function. Read Only means that the data stored
can only be read and not changed.

RAM Memory

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a volatile memory; that is it can store
data, have the data wiped out and store new data. It is dependent on a current, so when
you switch off the computer the contents of RAM memory disappears.

Bits and Bytes

Bits and bytes are the actual units of memory. One byte is one unit of memory, a letter
or a number. Each byte consists of 8 bits which can take the value of 0 or 1. The
combination of 0's and 1's determines which character a byte of information
represents.

1024 bytes of memory is the same as 1 kilobyte (kb). Thus a computer with 640 kb
RAM has in effect 1024 x 640 = 65536 bytes or units of memory each capable of
storing 1 character.

A 360 kb diskette can store just over 360000 characters, or around 200 pages of text.

Memory Size

The size of your computer's memory is measured in bytes, or kilobytes. Each byte is
the same as one character. For example, the text "How nice you are!" would take up
17 bytes, not forgetting the blanks and the exclamation mark. A kilobyte is 1024
bytes, and it's sometime just called K, or Kb.

The important thing, from the user's point of view, is the size of the computer's RAM
type memory. Programs are loaded into RAM, and larger programs require larger
RAM. If your computer's RAM is too small, you will not be able to run some of the
larger programs.

Most computers these days have at the very least 640 kb RAM, which is 640
kilobytes, i.e. about 640,000 bytes (or more exactly 655,360 bytes). Newer computers
are supplied with 1, 2 or 4 megs (million bytes) or Mb of RAM. It is possible to
increase the size of the memory by adding memory chips, or the more modern SIMM
or SIP memory modules.

By the way…
The chemical symbol for water is H20 (can you correct the 2?)
The famous equation about mass and energy is E=MC2 (again, correct the 2)