computer memory is measured

Know how computer memory is measured; (bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB). Relate
computermemory measurements to characters, Iiles and directories/Iolders

Basic Units of Data Storage:
It is important to realize that the term digital computer
reIers to the Iact that ultimately the computer works in what is called binary.
Humans work in tens (because we have 10 Iingers). To use the jargon humans work
in base 10. A digital computer uses the numbers 0 and 1 (or on and oII iI you
preIer). When we talk about computer storage, either the amount oI memory (RAM)
or the hard disk capacity we are talking about numbers that are multiples oI 0
or 1.
Bit: All computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e. they process data in ones or zeros.
This 1 or 0 level oI storage is called a bit. OIten hardware is speciIied as a 32-bit computer,
which means that the hardware can process 32 bits at a time. SoItware is also described as 16 bit,
32bit or 64 bit soItware.

Byte: A byte consists oI eight bits.

Kilobyte:A kilobyte (KB) consists oI 1024 bytes.

Megabyte: A megabyte (MB) consists oI 1024 kilobytes, approximately 1,000,000 bytes.

Gigabyte: A gigabyte (GB) consists oI 1024 megabytes, approximately 1,000,000,000 bytes.

Terabyte: A terabyte (TB) consists oI approximately 1,000,000,000,000 bytes.

Files: Data and programs are stored on your disk as Iiles. There are diIIerent types oI Iiles, such
as the Iiles that you store your data in, the Iiles that contain your programs and also Iiles used to
store your operating system (such as MicrosoIt Windows).

Directories (folders):Directories or Iolders are used to group Iiles with a similar theme together.
For example, you could have a Iolder called 'Accounts containing all your accounting related
Iiles, or a Iolder called 'Customers containing correspondence with your customers. Folders can
also contain sub-Iolders to Iurther divide Iiles. The uppermost level Iolder is oIten reIerred to as
the 'root Iolder (or directory). Sometimes you may see a diagrammatic representation oI
Iolders, as illustrated below



In this example, we have the root Iolder at the top. Below this are three sub-Iolders called Data,
Programs and Games.
#ecords: A record is a collection oI data held within a Iile. It is the sort oI storage unit used by a
database. For more inIormation, please see the ECDL module concerned with databases.
hLLp//lnformaLLecblogspoLcom/2008/04/compuLermemorylsmeasuredhLml


Pronounced ramm, acronym for 7andom ,ccess 2emory a type of computer memory that can
be accessed randomly; that is any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is
the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices such as printers.
There are two different types of RAM: DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access
Memory).
The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data with DRAM being the more common type. n terms of
speed SRAM is faster. DRAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second while SRAM does not need to
be refreshed which is what makes it faster than DRAM. DRAM supports access times of about 60 nanoseconds
SRAM can give access times as low as 10 nanoseconds. Despite SRAM being faster it's not as commonly used as
DRAM because it's so much more expensive. Both types of RAM are ;olatile meaning that they lose their contents
when the power is turned off.
n common usage the term RAM is synonymous with main memory the memory available to programs. For
example a computer with 8MB RAM has approximately 8 million bytes of memory that programs can use. n
contrastROM (read-only memory) refers to special memory used to store programs that boot the computer and
perform diagnostics. Most personal computershave a small amount of ROM (a few thousand bytes). n fact both
types of memory (ROM and RAM) allow random access. To be precise therefore RAM should be referred to
as read/write RAM and ROM as read-only RAM.

dncmic RAM
A type of physical memory used in most personal computers. The termdynamic indicates that the memory must be
constantly refreshed(reenergized) or it will lose its contents. RAM (random-access memory) is sometimes referred to
as DRAM (pronounced /00-ram) to distinguish it fromstatic RAM (SRAM). Static RAM is faster and less volatile than
dynamic RAM but it requires more power and is more expe

$RAM

Short for 8tatic 7andom ,ccess 2emory and pronounced 088-ram. SRAM is a type of memory that is faster and
more reliable than the more common DRAM(dynamic RAM). The term static is derived from the fact that it doesn't
need to be refreshed like dynamic RAM.
While DRAM supports access times of about 60 nanoseconds SRAM can give access times as low as 10
nanoseconds. n addition its cycle time is much shorter than that of DRAM because it does not need to pause
betweenaccesses. Unfortunately it is also much more expensive to produce than DRAM. Due to its high cost SRAM
is often used only as a memory cache.

hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M/8/8AMhLml

RDM
Pronounced rahm, acronym for 7ead-4nly 2emory computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. Once
data has been written onto a ROMchip it cannot be removed and can only be read.
Unlike main memory (RAM) ROM retains its contents even when thecomputer is turned off. ROM is referred to as
being non;olatile whereas RAM is ;olatile.
Most personal computers contain a small amount of ROM that stores criticalprograms such as the program
that boots the computer. n addition ROMs are used extensively in calculators and peripheral devices such as laser
printers whose fonts are often stored in ROMs.
A variation of a ROM is a PROM (programmable read-only memory). PROMs are manufactured as blank chips on
which data can be written with a specialdevice called a PROM programmer .

!RDM
Short for 5rogrammable 7ead-4nly 2emory, a memory chip on which datacan be written only once. Once
a program has been written onto a PROM it remains there forever. Unlike RAM PROMs retain their contents when
thecomputer is turned off.
The difference between a PROM and a ROM (7ead-4nly 2emory) is that a PROM is manufactured as blank memory
whereas a ROM is programmed during the manufacturing process. To write data onto a PROM chip you need a
special device called a PROM programmer or PROM burner. The process of programming a PROM is sometimes
called burning the PROM.
An EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) is a special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it
to ultraviolet light. Once it is erased it can be reprogrammed. An EEPROM is similar to a PROM but requires only
electricity to be erased.

jirmucre
Software (programs or data) that has been written onto read-only memory(ROM). Firmware is a combination of
software and hardware. ROMs PROMs and EPROMs that have data or programs recorded on them are firmware.

!RDM

Pronounced double-ee-prom or e-e-prom, short for 0lectrically 0rasable5rogrammable 7ead-4nly 2emory. EEPROM
is a special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge. Like other types of PROM
EEPROM retains its contents even when the power is turned off. Also like other types of ROM EEPROM is not as
fast as RAM.
EEPROM is similar to flash memory (sometimes called flash EEPROM). The principal difference is that EEPROM
requires data to be written or erased onebyte at a time whereas flash memory allows data to be written or erased
inblocks. This makes flash memory faster.

hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M/8/8CMhLml
hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M//8CMhLml
hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M/l/flrmwarehLml
hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M/L/LL8CMhLml
MD$
Short for .omplementary 2etal 4xide 8emiconductor. Pronounced 800-moss CMOS is a widely used type
of semiconductor. CMOS semiconductors use both NMOS (negative polarity) and PMOS (positive polarity) circuits.
Since only one of the circuit types is on at any given time CMOS chips require less power than chips using just one
type of transistor. This makes them particularly attractive for use in battery-powered devices such
as portable computers.Personal computers also contain a small amount of battery-powered CMOSmemory to hold
the date time and system setup parameters.

hLLp//wwwwebopedlacom/1L8M/C/CMCShLml