subject: Computer Memory Refers To The Physical Devices [print this page] The organization of data in a machine or computer is referred to as computer memory. This is the way in which a machine or a computer classifies information. As this relates to the way in which a device remembers information, this is known as computer memory.
Fundamentally,computer memory refers to the physical devices which are used to save information such as sequential instructions or other information either temporarily or permanently, according to whether the data is saved on a storage device such as a solid state disk or memory cards, or to the computers memory. Chiefly, the difference between the two is that memory is used for quick to access information like RAM, while SSD devices are used for slower information. The term storage is used in reference to permanent information. Memory on the other hand is used to refer to temporary state devices. The differences between the two have become somewhat blurred along with the advancement of storage technology. Memory which is saved to a storage system is now referred to as virtual memory, for example. Virtual memory is a component which lets the central component of the computer, known as kernels, to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
A solid state drive or solid state disk (SSD) is a data storage device. This utilises solid state memory in order to save persistent data. Persistent data is information which would be lost if your computer were to unexpectedly lose power. HDD, otherwise known as traditional hard disk drives use moving parts such as spinning disks and movable write or read heads to store information, while a solid state drive or solid state disk contains a non-volatile memory chip, or microchip. Unlike traditional hard disk drives, these do not use any moving parts.
SSDs such as memory cards have many notable benefits. They can be used on the same interface as a HDD, meaning that in many applications, a HDD can be replaced with a solid state drive. A hybrid refers to a combination of these two different types of drive. They tend to be quieter than standard HDDs, requiring less latency and access time. Latency is the measure of time delay in a particular system, while access time is the time between a message being sent to the computer in the form of a request or instruction and the computers response.). They are also less likely to break if physically shocked. From 2010, it is predicted that most SSDs will utilise what is known as NAND-flash memory, which can be used to store data even in the event that there is no available power source.
Flash cards or memory cards are a common way of saving information to an electronic flash memory storage device which can be used to store information. These devices are highly portable owing to their increasingly small size (Although unfortunately this also means they can be lost easily). They can also store information without the use of a power source and are re-recordable.
