Memory is the main component of every system that stores data and instructions.

A
computer's memory is mainly categorized into two types: primary and secondary
memory. Primary memory is the main memory of the system, and it is often random
access memory (RAM) and is used to store data that the CPU requires quick access to.
Secondary memory is the additional memory of the system. It is used to store the data
that the CPU does not require immediate access to, which is typically in the form of
hard drives, solid-state drives, or detachable storage devices (such as USB drives).

What is Primary memory?

The primary memory of a PC system is its primary memory. The instructions that must
be performed at the time are copied to primary memory because the CPU may directly
access data from the primary memory. Accessing data from this memory is faster
because it is the internal memory, and the CPU accesses data from primary memory
via the data bus.

Primary memory is typically volatile in nature, which implies that information in primary
memory doesn't exist if the information is not stored in the event of a power loss. It is
more costly than secondary memory because it is made of semiconductors, and
primary memory capacity in a computer is restricted and is always less than secondary
memory.

Types of Primary Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are the two types of
primary memory.

1. RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is both a read and writes type of memory. The information that has to be currently
processed is stored in RAM, which the CPU may immediately access. It is a volatile
memory that loses data when the electricity is turned off. RAM may be static or
dynamic in nature.

2. ROM (Read Only Memory)

ROM is a read-only memory, which implies that its contents may not be altered. It
contains the instructions that are executed when the system boots up. It is a non-
volatile memory, which implies that it preserves its contents even after the power is
turned off. It has three types of ROM, such as PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.

Features of Primary Memory

There are various features of Primary Memory. Some important features of Primary
Memory are as follows:

1. It is faster to access when compared to secondary memory.

2. If the power is turned off, you may lose data.
3. It is the computer's working memory.
4. It is known as primary memory.
5. Without primary memory, the system cannot function.
6. It is also known to as volatile memory.

What is Secondary Memory?

Secondary memory is additional computer memory. Secondary memory stores data
that must be preserved permanently. The CPU cannot directly access secondary
memory data, and the data must first be copied to primary memory before the CPU
can process it. As a result, accessing data from secondary memory takes longer. The
secondary memory may be accessed via the input-output channel.

It is non-volatile memory, which implies that its content remains even after the power
is turned off. It is optical or magnetic memory, which is less expensive than primary
memory.

Secondary memory is always more plentiful than primary memory. As an external

memory, a computer may even function without secondary memory. Secondary
memory includes hard disks, CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, etc.

Types of Secondary Memory

There are various types of secondary memory. Some of them are as follows:

1. Floppy Disk

It is a magnetic disk that is enclosed in a square plastic box. Its main goal is to store
information and then move it from one system to another. Floppy disks come in two
sizes (1) Size: 3.5 inches, storage capacity: 1.44 MB (2) 5.25-inch display and 1.2-MB
storage capacity. A system contains a floppy disk drive to use a floppy disk. DVDs,
CDs, and flash drives have mostly replaced this type of storage media.

2. Hard Disk

Hard disks are storage devices that may hold a large amount of data. Hard disks are
often known as hard disk drives. It comes in a range of storage capacities (For
instance, 256 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB). It is constructed of platters, which are
collections of disks. The plates are piled on top of one another and covered in a
magnetic coating. Each plate is composed of a series of invisible circles, each with an
identical core track. Hard disks are classified into two types: internal and external.

3. Blu-ray Disk

It looks like a CD/DVD; however, it may carry up to 25 GigaBytes of data. You'll require
a Blu-ray reader if you want to utilize a Blu-ray disk. The name Blu-ray is derived from
the technology that is utilized to read the disk: 'Blu' stands for a blue-violet laser,
and 'ray' stands for an optical ray.

4. SD Card

It is a type of memory card that is often utilized to store data in portable devices like
cameras and cell phones. It is available in several capacities, such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
and 64 GB. The data on the SD card can be accessed by removing it from the system
and placing it into a system through a card reader. The SD card data is stored in
memory chips, and there are no moving parts, as there are on a hard disk.

Features of Secondary Memory

There are various features of Secondary Memory. Some important features of
Secondary Memory are as follows:

1. These are optical and magnetic memories.

2. It is a sort of non-volatile memory.
3. It aids in the storage of data in a PC.
4. The data is stored permanently, even when the system is turned off.
5. The system can function without secondary memory.
6. It is slower than the primary memory.

Key differences between Primary and Secondary

Memory
There are various key differences between Primary and Secondary Memory. Some of
the key differences between Primary and Secondary Memory are as follows:

1. The primary memory of a computer system is also known as the PC's main
memory. In contrast, secondary memory is known as auxiliary memory.
 2. The CPU has immediate access to primary memory. On the other hand, the CPU
cannot directly access secondary memory.
3. Primary memory is a semiconductor memory. In contrast, secondary memories
are magnetic and optical memories.
4. When the pricing of primary and secondary storage alternatives are compared,
primary storage costs more than secondary storage, while secondary storage
costs less than primary storage.
5. The speed of data accessing in the primary memory is faster. In contrast, the
data accessing speed of the secondary memory is slower.
6. The data to be processed currently is in primary memory. In contrast, the data
that has to be maintained permanently is stored in secondary memory.
7. The primary memory is accessed via the data bus. In contrast, secondary
memory is accessed through input-output channels.
8. Primary memory is a volatile storage medium. In contrast, secondary memory
is non-volatile memory.
9. The storage capacity of primary memory is quite less than that of secondary
memory.
10. Primary memory is more expansive than secondary memory. In contrast,
secondary memory is cheaper than primary memory.

Head-to-head comparison between Primary and

Secondary Memory

Features Primary Memory Secondary Memory

Definition The primary memory of a computer Secondary memory defines to additional

is the main memory that is utilized to storage devices that are utilized to
store data temporarily. store data permanently.

It is directly accessible by the It is not directly accessible via the processor.

processor.

Nature of Memory It is both volatile and non-volatile It is a non-volatile memory in nature.

memory.
Other names It is also known as the main memory It is also known as the secondary
of the system. or auxiliary memory of a computer system.

Formation It is composed of semiconductors. It is composed of magnetic and optical materials.

Data The data that must be executed is It is utilized to store data that requires
copied to the main memory. should be stored permanently.

Access Speed The speed of accessing data is faster The speed of accessing data is slower
in primary memory. in secondary memory.

Cost It is more costly than secondary It is cheaper than primary memory.

memory.

Size The size of primary memory is small. The size of secondary memory is large.

Memory It is internal memory. It is an external memory.

Types It is mainly of two types: RAM and Magnetic memory, semiconductor memory, and
ROM. optical memory are the three most popular
types of secondary memory.

Access It is accessed via the data bus. It is accessed via the input-output channel.

Conclusion
Computer memory is divided into two types: primary and secondary memory. Primary
memory is the computer's main memory or internal memory, which is utilized to store
frequently needed data and instructions. It allows fast memory access due to its volatile
nature, making it simple for the processor unit to get information directly from the
main memory. In contrast, secondary memory refers to external storage devices that
are utilized to store large amounts of data in hard drives, flash drives, magnetic tapes,
CDs, floppy disks, DVDs, etc. The processor does not immediately access secondary
memory.