hanks for uploading the document.
I won’t remove anything from it, but I’ll add notes, explanations, and
T
examples to help you understand it better. Below is an enhanced version of your UNIT 3: Memory notes for
Introduction to Computing at Copperbelt University.
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🧠 UNIT 3: MEMORY — Enhanced Notes with Explanations
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🔹 INTRODUCTION
Purpose of Memory: Stores data, instructions (for processing), and results.
Types of storage:
Temporary (short time): Cache, RAM, Registers.
Permanent (long time): Hard disks, CDs, USBs.
Speed vs Storage:
Faster = More expensive (e.g. RAM, Cache).
Slower = Larger storage (e.g. HDD, Optical Disks).
👉 Real-life Analogy: Think of memory like a workspace:
Your desk (RAM) is fast and close for quick work.
Your bookshelf (Hard disk) stores more but is slower to reach.
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🔹 MEMORY REPRESENTATION
Bit: Smallest unit (0 or 1).
Byte: 8 bits = 1 character (like letter ‘A’).
Word: Group of bytes (depends on system – 16, 32, 64 bits).
Memory Sizes:
Unit Size
1 KB 1024 Bytes
1 MB 1024 KB
1 GB 1024 MB
1 TB 1024 GB
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🔹 MEMORY HIERARCHY
Ranked by Speed (Fastest to Slowest):
1. Registers – Inside CPU.
2. Cache – Between CPU and RAM.
3. RAM (Main memory).
4. Secondary Storage – HDD, CD, etc.
👉 Access Time vs Cost:
Faster memory = Lower access time = More expensive.
Slower memory = Higher capacity = Cheaper.
Diagram Example:
Registers > Cache > RAM > SSD/HDD > CD/DVD
↑ Fastest ↓ Slowest
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🔹 INTERNAL MEMORY
Used directly by CPU:
Type Speed Size Cost
Registers 1–2 ns ~200 Bytes Very High
Cache 2–10 ns 32KB–8MB High
RAM ~60 ns 512MB–6GB Moderate
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🔹 REGISTERS
Located inside the CPU.
Store data/instructions during processing.
Size & number affect CPU performance.
👉 Analogy: Registers are like your brain's working memory—quick decisions, small space.
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🔹 CACHE MEMORY
Between CPU and RAM.
Faster than RAM.
If data is found = Cache Hit.
If not = Cache Miss → data fetched from RAM.
👉 Levels:
L1 (smallest, fastest) inside CPU.
L2 & L3 larger, slightly slower.
Good performance = More cache hits.
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🔹 PRIMARY MEMORY
Main memory.
Types:
RAM (Volatile) – Loses data when power off.
ROM (Non-Volatile) – Permanent; contains startup instructions.
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🟢 RAM (Random Access Memory)
Used for:
Input/output storage.
Temporary program execution.
Volatile: Needs power.
Access time: Same no matter location.
Types:
DRAM (Dynamic RAM):
Slower, cheaper.
Needs refreshing.
SRAM (Static RAM):
Faster, costlier.
No refresh needed.
👉 Modules:
SIMM – One side of PCB.
DIMM – Both sides; faster.
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🔵 ROM (Read Only Memory)
Non-volatile: Doesn’t lose data.
Contains: BIOS, boot instructions.
Types of ROM:
Type Can Rewrite? How?
PROM No One-time only
EPROM Yes UV Light
EEPROM Yes Electrically
Flash ROM Yes Like USB storage
👉 Flash memory = Fast, portable, shock-resistant (e.g., USBs, SSDs).
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🔹 SECONDARY MEMORY
Needed because RAM is volatile & limited.
Examples: HDD, CDs, USBs.
Stores: Software, user files, backups.
✅ Types of Access:
Sequential: Read one by one (like cassette tape).
Direct (Random): Go straight to data (like skipping to a song in a playlist).
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🔸 Magnetic Tape
Like cassette.
Sequential access.
Cheap, used for backups.
Divided into:
Tracks (horizontal).
Frames (vertical).
Blocks (groups of data).
Needs IRG (inter-record gap) between blocks.
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🔸 Magnetic Disk (e.g., Hard Disk)
Direct access device.
Divided into:
Tracks (circles).
Sectors (slices of a track).
Stored data as magnetized spots.
Speed Factors:
Seek time – move head to track.
Latency time – wait for sector.
Transfer rate – read/write speed.
👉 Parts of formatted disk (FAT):
Boot Sector
File Allocation Table (FAT)
Root Directory
Data Area
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🔹 OPTICAL DISKS
Uses laser light to read/write.
Stores data in pits and lands.
🔸 CD-ROM (700MB)
Read only.
Good for music, software distribution.
🔸 DVD-ROM (4.7GB–17GB)
Dual layers, higher density.
🔸 Recordable:
CD-R/DVD-R – Write once.
CD-RW/DVD-RW – Rewritable.
🔸 Blu-ray Disc
Stores 25–128 GB.
Uses blue laser for high-density storage.
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🔹 MAGNETO-OPTICAL DISK
Combination of laser + magnetic field.
Rewritable.
Outdated, replaced by modern disks.
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🔹 USING COMPUTER MEMORY (Lifecycle)
1. Power ON → Load BIOS from ROM.
2. POST check → Verify system health.
3. Load OS from HDD → RAM.
4. Open App → Load to RAM.
5. CPU ↔ RAM for processing.
6. Save File → Written to Secondary Storage.
7. Power OFF → RAM is cleared unless saved.
👉 Always save your work. If power goes off and you didn't save, it's lost!
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✅ REMINDERS
Volatile
Memory: RAM, Cache, Registers.
Non-Volatile Memory: ROM, HDD, SSD, Flash.
Fastest to Slowest: Registers → Cache → RAM → HDD → Optical Disk.
DRAM = Cheaper but slower.
SRAM = Faster, used in Cache.
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Would you like me to convert this into a downloadable PDF for your revision, or should I continue to break it
into smaller sections for focus study?
