subject: When people speak of computer memory [print this page] When people speak of computer memory When people speak of computer memory
When people speak of computer memory, this is in reference to a unique arrangement of information in a machine or a computer, or rather a system which is designed to be able to store such computer information in much the same way as a human brain can; hence the term "computer memory."
In basic terms, computer memory means the physical devices which are used to store programs (i.e. instructions in sequence) or data on either a permanent or temporary basis, depending whether the information is stored on the computer memory or a storage device such as a solid state disk or a memory cards.
The difference between computer memory and storage systems such as memory cards or a solid state disk is that memory is used for the information which is quick to access, such as RAM, whereas storage refers to slower physical systems which can be "stored" in places such as a solid state disk or memory cards. Typically, storage refers to permanent data in computing, while memory denotes temporary state devices. The boundaries between the two have become somewhat indistinct as storage technology has advanced; memory saved to what is conventionally known as a storage system is now known as virtual memory (This is a device on a computer which allows kernels, the central components of most computers which connect application software to the hardware of the computer, to multitask, which is what is happening when your computer does several things at the same time.)
A solid state disk, or a solid state drive (SSD) is an information storage device which uses solid state memory to store persistent data (Persistent being the information which would be lost if your computer was shut down.) Traditional hard disk drives, or HDD use electromechanical devices, such as movable read and write heads and spinning disks to store data, while a solid state disk or a solid state drive uses a microchip or a non volatile memory chip. Another notable feature of the SSD is that it does not contain any moving parts.
A solid state disk or a solid state drive has many advantages over traditional hard disk drives. To begin with, they are less vulnerable to physical shock. They are also quieter, with lower access time (Access time is the delay between a request made to an electronic system, and the data being returned or the access being completed.), and latency (The measure of time delay in a system.) A solid state drive such as a solid state disk is compatible with the same interface as a hard disk drive. This means that, in most applications, hard disk drives can be replaced with a solid state drive such as a solid state disk. A hybrid drive is a combination of the two types of drive. From 2010 onwards, most solid state disks or drives will use NAND-flash memory, which can hold information even when there is no power.
A way of storing information on a solid state disk drive is through using memory cards.Memory cards, otherwise known as flash cards, are electronic flash memory storage devices which are used for storing data. Memory cards have the advantages of being re-recordable and small, as well as being able to store data without power.
