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Permanent storage tends to be slow. For disks, there there is rotational delay while the disk rotates beneath the read/write head, and seek delay as the head moves across the disk from track to track. Tape is even worse, and little used anymore. The memory serves as the storage area where programs and data are loaded. The programs are executed from memory. Each program instruction is loaded into the central processing unit (CPU) and executed there. Instructions are commands, such as add the contents of two registers, or branch to a location in the memory, or fetch the data at a particular location in memory, etc.
Memory tends to be much smaller than disk storage. Currently typical home PC disk capacities range from a hundred gigabytes up to a terabyte (a trillion bytes). A typical digital photograph takes up approximately 2 megabytes. In a hundred gigabytes you could store roughly 50,000 photographs. But computer memory generally ranges from 256 megabytes to a gigabyte. Some of this space will be consumed by operating system software, and some of it by programs. Programs that are executing in the background take up some of the computer's memory, like the program that checks your e-mail, and so on. Image editing software takes up a lot of memory space. So if your computer has 512 megabytes of RAM (random access memory), maybe half of that would be left over for data, or less. JPG images are probably translated into bit mapped format in the computer's memory to make manipulation easier--which would leave even less space--maybe room for only a handful of photos. You will get an idea because the computer will suddenly start running a lot slower when too many images are loaded into memory, as some of that memory will be swapped back out to disk as you switch between tasks.
RAM is Random Access Memory, used to store temporary instructions for a computer to execute. It is used almost like a storage area for the processor.
Temporary, very fast storage for operations that the computer is still working on. It is much faster than writing to permanent storage every time the computer needs to remember something.
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What is a Memory Slot used for?
A memory slot is used for adding memory to your computer.
What type of memory used in computer in memory?
DIMM
What consists of nonvolatile memory chips that can be used for storage by the computer or the user?
Flash memory consists of nonvolatile memory chips that can be used for storage by the computer or the user. Flash memory was introduced in 1984.
What is the role of an address when used in the context of computer memory?
In the context of computer memory, an address is used to access the computer's primary storage memory. These addresses consist of fixed-length digits displayed as unsigned integers.
What is the high speed memory used in computer called?
RAM is the memory that is the fastest.
What is physical memory?
Physical memory is a term used to describe the amount of memory [RAM] installed in your computer.
What computer memory is used for storing programs processed by the CPU?
Internal memory (RAM)
What is the use of memory in computer?
It is used to store the data.
Which element is used for manufacture of computer memory chips?
Silicon is the primary element used for the manufacture of computer memory chips. Silicon is a semiconductor material that can be easily manipulated to create integrated circuits and memory storage components like transistors and capacitors.
What is the difference between physical memory and available memory?
Physical memory is how much total memory your computer actually has. Available memory is what memory you have that is not being used.
What is primary memory?
Memory is a loose term when it comes to computers. Memory can mean one of two things that are both primary and absolutely necessary to run a computer. One is RAM, which is the smaller memory that helps with computer performance. Without it, the computer will not start up at all because the RAM is used for essential backround tasks. The other memory is HDD memory (hard drives). This memory is used to store information that does not need to be accessed instantaneously. HDD memory is used to store the operating system of a computer, as well as other information such as programs and documents. There is no "primary" memory, in a computer, as it can mean two different things that are both invaluable.
What role does the memory play in the functioning of a computer system?
it is used by computer to store contents
