Asked By
tipusarkar
40 points
N/A
Posted on - 09/30/2011
Hi All,
Simple question. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
Thank you all for the help.
What is the difference between *RAM* and *ROM* ?
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ROM (Read Only Memory) Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks.
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Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory, which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data. Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.
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Every computer comes with a certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as main memory or RAM. You can think of main memory as an array of boxes, each of which can hold a single byte of information. A computer that has 1 megabyte of memory, therefore, can hold about 1 million bytes (or characters) of information.
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RAM (Random Access Memory) is a temporary (Volatile) storage area utilized by the CPU. Before a program can be ran the program is loaded into the memory which allows the CPU direct access to the program.
Answered By
mustaf
0 points
N/A
#83982
What is the difference between *RAM* and *ROM* ?
RAM, or random access memory is the temporary memory that the computer uses to perform its functions while being used; that is, the when the computer is actively running, it is constantly storing and erasing bits of information.
When you shut off your computer, that information is gone. It is like using a whiteboard with erasable ink; you can use it over and over and over, but once you erase something, it is gone forever; unless you recreate it from scratch.
ROM, or read only memory. In its pure form, ROM is the data that is permanently written to a chip, that there is no way of overwriting. An example of ROM is the program that you computer uses to reboot.
It is essential to the core functioning of the computer. You might be familiar with Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory in the form of a flash drive.
