1.2.1 Primary Storage (memory) Flashcards
What is the need for primary storage?
When a program is executed it has to be loaded from the hard disk into the main memory(RAM) so that the processor can access the instructions. The main purpose of RAM is to act as a temporary storage for programs and data while the program is being executed.
What is primary storage?
Primary storage:
- Very quick because it is directly accessed by the CPU
- Typically smaller in storage size
- Sometimes called “Main Memory”
- Includes RAM and ROM
What are the two types of storage?
Primary and Secondary stroage
Why doesn’t the processor get the programs straight from the hard disk?
It is about access speed, the hard disk is very slow meaning the computer would run slow.
What is RAM?
RAM is volatile (temporary) storage that stores all programs that are currently running.
RAM also stores parts of the operating system to be accessed by the CPU.
Random Access Memory
What is ROM?
ROM is non-volatile storage that cannot be changed.
ROM stores the boot program / BIOS for when the computer is switched on. The BIOS then loads up the operating system to take over managing the computer.
Read Only Memory
What is Virtual Memory?
Programs must be loaded into RAM for the CPU to process them. When RAM is full, the hard drive can act as an extension, known as virtual memory. Unused data in RAM is moved to the hard drive to make space for new data. If needed again, the original data is transferred back to RAM. Virtual memory enables more programs to run simultaneously with minimal slowdown.
