MEMORY AND

STORAGE DEVICES
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER MEMORY?
A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions.
Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored.
The memory is divided into large number of small parts called cells. Each
location or cell has a unique address, which varies from zero to memory size
minus one.
For example, if the computer has 64k words, then this memory unit has 64 *
1024 = 65536 memory locations. The address of these locations varies from 0
to 65535.
Memory is primarily of two types −
1) Primary Memory/Main Memory
2) Secondary Memory
 TYPES OF MEMORIES -
There are two major type of memory present , Which are –
1)Primary Memory –
is a type of memory present in the inside the computer ,
without primary memory the computer could not be
booted or started . It is the memory where the instructions
Reside for the execution

Some examples as primary memory are-

RAM and ROM
2) Secondary Memory -
Is a type of memory which is externally linked to the
computer ,It is the memory where programs and data are kept
For a long term basis.

without secondary memory the computer will start but

we could not be able to save any of our work.

Some examples are –

hard disk, pendrive ,floppy disk ,etc.
WHAT IS A RAM?
Random Access Memory is a primary memory,
Which stores data and machine code which are
currently being used in the computer. RAM is usually
volatile memory, which means when the computer
Will be switched off then the memory present in the
RAM will erase off.
A large amount of RAM is usually offers faster
background processing.
Now-a-days , RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) and
Gigabytes (GB)
 TYPES OF RAM ARE-
There are two types of RAMs –
1) DRAM (Dynamic RAM) – A type of RAM which has to refresh in every
millisecond for the processing of programs and to store data. it is volatile
memory which means the data get lost when the computer is switched off.

2)SRAM (Static RAM) – A type of RAM which much faster and more reliable than
DRAM. It doesn’t need to refresh so it saves the energy and end-up faster
than DRAM.
WHAT ARE THE UNITS OF MEMORY?
The basic measurement of a memory starts with a bit which is a binary digit of
logical 0 or 1 , which is all a computer reads.
1 Bytes = 8 bits
1 Kilo Byte (KB) = 1024 bytes
1 Mega Byte (MB) = 1024 KB
1 Giga Byte (GB) = 1024 MB
1 Tera Byte (TB) = 1024 GB
1 Peta Byte (PB) = 1024 TB
1 Exa byte (XB) = 1024 PB
1 Zetta byte (ZB) = 1024 XB
1 Yota byte (YB) = 1024 ZB
 WHAT IS READ ONLY MEMORY?
ROM is a special type of memory used to store programs
that starts a computer and do diagnostics. It is memory
on which it is not possible to write data.
ROM is non-volatile in nature.
ROM is fabricated in large number in a way where
there is no room for even a single error.

In simple words ,
ROM stores basic components of the operating system
like windows start-up programs, without ROM
the computer wont boot to a start menu.
Now-A-Days, There are three more types of ROMs Which are
different from ROM. Those ROMs are –

1) PROM – Programmable ROM is also non-volatile but it could written once ,

which is done by the supplier. Therefore , PROM is more flexible and
convenient than ROMs.

2) EPROM – Erasable Programmable ROM is a non-volatile memory that is

programmable , reusable and able to hold its content till it is edited
electrically.

3) EEPROM – Electrical Erasable Programmable ROM is a special non-volatile

type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge .
EEPROM is not faster than RAM but it is similar to flash memory.
 TYPES OF SECONDARY MEMORY -

1) Hard Disk and External Hard Disk –

This is a magnetic disk that stores the data. A hard Disk
can store a memory of about 100 GBs to 8 TBs .
Usually the Hard Disk is sealed inside the computer case
but can be removed but in a External Hard Disk is a
removable storage device of higher capacity.
It is connected to computer via the USB port versions 2.0 or 3.0.
the inside of a External Hard Disk is just like that of a Hard Disk.
External Hard Disk supports “plug and play” drive functionality
and offers features like large storage options and extremely
portable design.
 What is an Optical Disk?

An Optical Disk is a high capacity storage medium which read by optical

drive which reads data by using the reflected light by the disk.
To store data ,the metal surface has some tiny dents and flat spot so the
reflection is different.
The types of Optical Disk –
1) CD-ROM – the most commonly used optical disk is
the Compact Disk read-only. It’s storage range is from
600 to 800 MBs. Once the data is written to standard
CD-ROM ,the data cannot be overwritten.
2) CD-R – A CD-Recordable drive lets you record your own CDS, but data
cannot be overwritten once it is recorded to the Disk.

3) CD-RW - A CD-Rewritable drive lets you record a CD, then write new data
over the already recorded data by using CD-Writer.

4) DVD-ROM/DVD Writable – A DVD is called Digital Video Disk Read-only.

A standard DVD disks store up to 9.4 GB of data enough to store many entire
movies. Dual layer DVD disks can store up to 17GB, DVD disk can store so
much data because both sides of the disk are used.

5) Blu-ray – is also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the name of a next-

generation optical disc format jointly developed by thirteen leading consumer
electronics and PC companies. It can record over 2 hours of HDTV, or more
than 13 hours of SDTV on a 27 GB disc.
 OTHER STORAGE DEVICES –
1) Pen drive - is a removable hard disk drive with USB connection. It supports
“plug and play” drive. Now you can read, write, copy, delete and move data
from your hard disk drive to the pen drive or from your hard disk to the Pen
Drive. You can even play MP3 files, run applications or view videos directly
from the pen drive.

2) DAT Drive – are based on Digital Data Storage (DDS) format, the most
successful tape backup format of all time, with an installed base of over 9
million drives. DDS technology has led the tape market for so many years
because its capacity, reliability, and low cost continue to meet the needs of
many organizations.
3) Memory Cards - A memory card or flash card is a electronic
memory data storage devices used for storing data in digital format.
Memory Cards are commonly used in many electronic devices,
including digital cameras, cell phones, laptop, computers,
MP3 player, Portable Media Players and video game consoles.

3) Magnetic Disks – is a circular platter of plastic which is coated

with magnetizable material. One of the key components of a
magnetic disk is a conducting coil named as Head which performs
the job of reading and writing on the magnetic surface.
Made By –
Ritik Khulbe