HOW DOES A COMPUTER’S

MEMORY WORK ? HOW IS DATA

STORED?
 What is memory?

Memory is the electronic holding place for the

instructions and data a computer needs to reach
quickly. It's where information is stored for
immediate use. Memory is one of the basic functions
of a computer, because without it, a computer would
not be able to function properly
How does a memory work?
◦ In physical terms, an electrical signal reads the information
stored in RAM. It works at the speed of electricity, which is
the speed of light. When you move data from a disk to RAM
storage, your computer runs anywhere from five thousand to a
million times faster.
 RAM
◦ RAM (which stands for Random Access Memory) is the
familiar acronym for random access memory, which is the
temporary storage in your computer that gives applications a
place to store and access data on a short-term basis. Having
more RAM means that more data can be accessed and read
almost instantly, as opposed to being written on your
hard drive
What does RAM do?
◦ RAM allows your computer to perform most of its
everyday tasks, such as loading applications, browsing
the internet, editing a spreadsheet, or experiencing the
latest game. Memory also allows you to switch quickly
among these tasks while also remembering where you
are in each task. Generally speaking, the more memory
you have, the better for multitasking.
How is data stored?
◦ Data is stored as files – the computer equivalent of files stored in a filing
cabinet. Files are stored in folders and folders are stored within drives. A
storage device is a device that is capable of storing and retaining data
even when the computer has been switched off.