1.2 Memory & Storage Part 1

Question 1

What is RAM and it’s characteristics

Answer 1

Random Access Memory. Holds programs and data currently in use.

Volatile, read& write, large in comparison to ROM

Question 2

What is ROM and it’s characteristics

Answer 2

Read Only Memory. Holds bootstrap. Programs in embedded systems may be stored in ROM.

Non-volatile, read only, small in comparison to ROM

Question 3

What is virtual memory

Answer 3

When ram is full, a section of the secondary storage is dedicated as virtual memory. Lesser used programs are transferred from Ram to Vm and back when needed again

Question 4

What is primary storage & examples

Answer 4

Memory that is directly accessed by the CPU

RAM,ROM,Cache,Registers

Question 5

What is secondary storage and why is it needed

Answer 5

Non-volatile memory where all data ( OS, applications and user files) are stored when not in use.

Needed because RAM is volatile and Rom is read only, both are also too small.

Question 6

Characteristics of optical storage and examples

Answer 6

Low capacity in comparison to others,
Slow access to data,
Thin, lightweight and portable.

E.g CD,DVD,Blu-Ray

Question 7

Characteristics of magnetic storage and examples

Answer 7

High storage capacity,
Quick data access
Not very portable
Moving parts, will eventually fail so unreliable,
Needs to be defragmented.

E.g hard disk drive, tape

Question 8

Characteristics of Solid-State storage and examples

Answer 8

Medium storage capacity,
Very quick read&write speed,
No moving parts- very reliable,
No noise,
Low power consumption,
No need to defragment,
Limited number of read/write cycles,
Expensive,
Fairly portable.

e.g SSD, memory sticks, Flash memory cards

Question 9

6 Characteristics of secondary storage

Answer 9

Capacity, speed, durability, reliability, portability, cost