PRIMARY MEMORY
Primary memory is a part of computer memory that can be accessed directly by
the processor. Storing of the data and information and processing it as soon as
possible is done by Primary memory . Primary memory is organized in such a way
that access time to process the data by the CPU/processor minimized. Primary
memory is greater than cache memory .
Generally Primary memory can be classified into two parts.
Primary Memory
RAM ROM
RAM(Random Access Memory)
A program that needs to be executed at the time is loaded in RAM .RAM is
processed by CPU as the instructions given in the program. Like if we click on
applications like Browser, firstly browser code will be loaded by the Operating system into
the RAM after which the CPU will execute and open up the Browser.
Mainly RAM is classified into SRAM (static RAM) and DRAM (Dynamic RAM).
DRAM : Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a type of semiconductor
memory that is used to store the data or program code needed by a computer
processor to function. DRAM is made up of capacitors and transistors and electric
charge leaks from capacitors. DRAM is widely used in home PCs and servers. DRAM
needs charge and refreshment to store the data
SRAM : SRAM (static RAM) is a type of RAM that retains data bits in its memory
as long as power is being supplied. Unlike dynamic RAM which must be
continuously refreshed, SRAM does not have this requirement, resulting in better
performance and lower power usage. SRAM is commonly used for a computer's
cache memory.
ROM (Read only Memory)
Any data that does need any changes and access them as their original
form are stored in Read Only Memory. ROM is generally used to store Permanent
data that can only be read. As it is Read only memory nothing can be written or
no changes can be done in the data stored in ROM. It is non volatile.
There are 4 types of ROM
MROM : Masked ROM are hardwired and pre-programmed ROM. Any content or
data that is stored in MROM is only written once cannot be changed anyhow.
PROM : Programmable ROM can be modified once by the user. The user buys a
blank PROM and writes the desired content but once written content cannot be
Changed.
EPROM: Erasable and Programmable ROM , in this ROM content can be changed by
erasing the recent data by exposing EPROM to UV radiation. This exposure to ultra-
violet light erases the data on ROM and content can be rewritten on it.
EEPROM: Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM is a ROM where content can
be changed by erasing the initial content which could be easily erased electrically.
However, one byte can be erased at a time instead of deleting in one go. So
reprogramming of EEPROM is a slow process.
o You Should know this
Data in primary memory can be accessed faster than secondary memory but still, access
times of primary memory are generally in few microseconds, whereas CPU is capable of
performing operations in nanoseconds. Due to the time lag between accessing data and
acting of data performance of the system decreases as the CPU is not utilized properly, it
may remain idle for some time. In order to minimize this time gap new segment of memory
is Introduced known as Cache Memory.
Cache Memory is present between cpu and main memory. The recently used data or the
main part of data is stored in Cache. A faster and smaller segment of memory whose access
time is as close as registers are known as Cache memory.
