Memory and Memory Hierarchy

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Recommended: The history of the development of computers

1.0 Introduction:
In computers terminology, any device which is used to store data and different applications is called memory. Memory is one of the essential parts of computers or any electronic device. It enable device to save the data and the instructions which the CPU Central Processing unit require. The term memory is usually used to describe fast and temporary form of storage. Particularly memory is identified by its capacity. CPU will take long time to retrieve data without memory, therefore, the memory exists so that CPU can retrieve data faster (Tyson, 2011).
This paper covers details of available memory and their capacities and latencies. Paper also describes the current and historical information of memory which will give an idea of memory requirements for an operating system.

2.0 Memory:
Memory is the storage space in computer, it store data and instructions. Memory is often provided by magnetic hard disks, floppies or from optical storage such as CDs and DVDs. Random access memory (RAM) recall data only when the computer is on, but for the flash drives memories it’s removable so it doesn’t need power source to retain data (University of Miami). Memory is mainly containing three types:

2.1 Cache Memory
Cache memory is semiconductor memory that works as a buffer between the CPU and main memory. It can increase CPU speed because it provide data and program that are repeatedly used by CPU. Cache memory is usually faster than main memory and needs less access time than main memory. Cache memory has a temporary storage and limited capacity.

2.2 Primary Memory/Main Memory
Primary or main memories are essential memories for computer, which basically enable computer to run. It has the data an...

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.... 2012. An Illustrated History of Computer Memory. Retrieved From: http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/computer_memory-rdram-sram-punch_card,5-40.html Pingdom. 2008. The history of computer data storage in pictures. Retrieved From: http://royal.pingdom.com/2008/04/08/the-history-of-computer-data-storage-in-pictures/ Chapin, R. 2009. History of DVD. Retrieved From: http://www.miqrogroove.com/writing/history-of-dvd/ Rouse, M. 2005. Multi Media Card (MMC). Retrieved From: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/MultiMediaCard University of Miami. Computer memory. Retrieved From: http://it.med.miami.edu/x983.xml Rampur, S. 2013. Computer Memory Types. Retrieved From: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-memory-types.html Ramakrishnan R. Gehrke J. 2013. Memory Hierarchy. Retrieved From:
http://dblab.cs.toronto.edu/courses/443/2013/02.memory-hierarchy.html

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