Memory

PRIMARY STORAGE
These are temporary storage media that
are made of electronic circuits (memory).
RAM
ROM
PROM
EPROM
EEPROM
 Memory
Main memory is located directly
on the computer’s main circuit
board so that the data can
travel quickly to and from the
CPU.
 Types of memory

• Random Access Memory

(RAM)
• Read Only Memory (ROM)
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
These hold the temporary operations
for the computer, its program and
the data. This is where the CPU
receives the instructions and data it
needs to do its job. The advantage
of RAM is that the computer can
access the data almost
immediately.
 Random Access Memory
(RAM) contd.
The major fault is that the data held in
the RAM is lost within a computer is
turned off or when a malfunction has
occurred. This is why floppy disks or
other storage media is useful.
 Read Only Memory
(ROM)
When a computer is made basic
input/output instructions can be
read, but not changed (non-
volatile) and are available every
time the computer is turned on.
 Types of ROM

• Programmable- ROM (PROM)

• Erasable and Programmable- ROM
(E-PROM)
• Electrically Erasable
Programmable- ROM (EEPROM)
 Programmable- ROM
(PROM)
Is one step up from ROM. Once
PROM has been programmed with
data like the ROM, its contents
can’t be changed. If the data
stored in PROM must be changes,
the device must be discarded.
 Erasable and Programmable-
ROM (E-PROM)
E-PROM is programmed in exactly the
same manner as PROM. However
EPROM’s can be erased and
reprogrammed repeated. To erase an
EPROM you simple expose the device
to a strong source of UV light, to reset
the chip back to its un-programmed
state.
 Erasable and Programmable-
ROM (E-PROM) contd.

They are more expensive then

PROM’s but they are an
essential part of testing and
developing applications.
 Electrically Erasable
Programmable- ROM
(EEPROM)
They are similar to EPROM’s but the
erase operation is performed
electrically. Any data written with an
EEPROM may be erased and rewritten.
Once, written the new data will remain
in the device forever- or until it is
electrically erased. The U.S.B flash
memory is a type of EEPROM chip.