Classification of Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM):
This is a type of random access memory in which data can be read from or written into.All data stored in RAM will be lost if power is interrupted or turned off. Hence, it is called volatile or temporary memory. RAM stores data and instructions on which the CPU is currently working on. Generally, the more RAM a computer has, the more it can do and the faster it can perform certain tasks.
Read Only Memory (ROM):
This is a type of random access memory in which data can only be read from. Data stored in ROM will not be lost when power is interrupted or turned off. Hence, it is a nonvolatile memory. It holds data that either are permanent or will not change frequently during the operation of a system. Technically, a ROM can be written into (programmed) only once and this operation is normally performed at the factory. Therefore no new data can be written into a ROM but data can be read from ROM. Some ROMs can be written into more than once.
Differentiate between RAM and ROM
|
Factors |
RAM |
ROM |
|
1. Is it possible to read, and/or write? |
Both (i.e. information can be written into or read from it). |
Information can only be read from this memory. |
|
2. Store data temporarily or permanently? |
Temporarily (i.e. RAM is volatile) |
Permanently (i.e. ROM is non-volatile) |
|
3. Is data lost when power goes off? |
Yes |
No |
|
4. What data and information it stores? |
It holds data and instructions that are subject to change frequently during system operation. |
It holds information which is not changed during system operation, but necessary to run the system. |
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