Memory

Question 1

What is Memory?

Answer 1

Memory is the part of a computer that holds data and instructions for processing. It is separate from the CPU.

Question 2

What is RAM?

Answer 2

RAM stands for Random Access Memory.

Question 3

What is Static Memory Allocation?

Answer 3

A process in which memory for variables and data structures is reserved at compile time before the program runs.

Question 4

What is Dynamic Memory Allocation?

Answer 4

Where memory space is assigned during program execution or run time.

Question 5

Why does the memory only store instructions/data for so long as a program is using it?

Answer 5

Data is destroyed when the computer is turned off. If more than one program is running, a single program cannot lay claim to memory. There may not be room in memory to hold the processed data.

Question 6

What is Volatile Memory?

Answer 6

Volatile memory is memory that only retains information while the machine is powered on. If power is interrupted or turned off, data is lost. RAM is one type of volatile memory.

Question 7

What is RAM?

Answer 7

RAM stands for Random-Access Memory, which temporarily stores data while the CPU is executing other tasks. The more RAM on the computer, the less the CPU has to read data from external/secondary memory, increasing speed. RAM is fast but volatile.

Question 8

What is ROM?

Answer 8

ROM stands for Read-Only Memory. It is non-volatile, so data is retained even without power. It is mainly used to start the computer.

Question 9

What is DRAM?

Answer 9

DRAM is a type of RAM.

Question 10

Describe the L1 cache

Answer 10

The L1 cache is extremely fast transfer rate but is usually small in size. The processor uses L1 cache to store its most frequently used data and instructions

Question 11

Describe L2 cache

Answer 11

L2 is bigger than L1 but slower in speed. Holds data and instructions that are used less frequently

Question 12

Describe L3 cache

Answer 12

L3 is specialised to improve performance of L1 and L2. L1 and L2 can share L3 cache.

Question 13

What is the MMU?

Answer 13

Memory Management Unit. It handles all memory and caching operations related to the processor.

Question 14

What is a DMA request?

Answer 14

Direct Memory Access request

Question 15

What is an IRQ request?

Answer 15

Interrupt request

Question 16

What does the Memory Management Unit (MMU) do?

Answer 16

The MMU handles memory addressing and provides security features so that applications are restricted to their own memory space. MMU blocks applications that try access the incorrect space.

Question 17

What is a Direct Memory Access (DMA) operation?

Answer 17

When memory is access directly bypassing the CPU.

Question 18

Why are DMA performed?

Answer 18

It allows the CPU to work through more important tasks, avoids wasted cycles on transfers that it doesn’t need to be involved with. It locks the buses.

Question 19

What is Pipelining?

Answer 19

Pipelining is when different stages of multiple instructions are executed simultaneously, improving efficiency.