A1.1.4 Data and Information – Computer Fundamentals Notes

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SYLLABUS CONTENT

Explain the purposes of different types of primary memory.




A1.1.4
Primary (Main) Memory
 Memory vs. Storage
 Memory Organization
 Types of Primary (Main) Memory
A1.1 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

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Memory vs. Storage

 The term memory refers to chip -based storage .
 When the term memory is used alone, it refers
to locations, usually inside the system unit
(typically random -access memory , discussed
next), that a computer uses to store data on a
temporary basis .


 In contrast, the term storage refers to the more
A1.1 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS




permanent storage a computer uses — usually in
the form of the computer’s internal hard drive or
removable storage media (such as DVDs or USB
drives, discussed in Section A1.1.7).


A1.1.4 Primary (Main) Memory ( p. 8-11)

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Primary (Main) Memory

 A computer’s primary (main) memory stores data and instructions in active use
that the CPU needs in order to process tasks; it is directly accessed by the CPU
KEY TERM

primary (main) memory: the fundamental memory location of a computer that can be
directly accessed by the processor


 There are several different types of primary (main) memory:
 random -access memory (RAM)
A1.1 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS




 read -only memory (ROM)
 cache memory
 registers (covered in Section A1.1.1)



A1.1.4 Primary (Main) Memory ( p. 8-11)