Both RAM and cache are volatile memories used to store data. Cache is a high-speed storing mechanism used by the CPU to provide faster access to frequently used program instructions or data likely to be requested by the CPU for its next operation. RAM is a form of computer memory used to temporarily store all the information your computer is actively using for faster access.
Both RAM and cache are volatile memory, meaning they need power to maintain the stored data and they will lose data when the power is interrupted. RAM, short for random access memory, is an extremely fast computer memory which temporarily stores all the information your computer is actively using. Cache memory, on other hand, is a type of random-access memory that works between RAM and the CPU, and that provides faster access to frequently used program instructions or data that the CPU is most likely to need next.Cache is one of the fundamental components of computing which can be used in two ways: cache memory which holds copies of data and instructions from RAM and disk cache, a section of primary memory which stores relatively large blocks of frequently accessed data in order to speed up the data transfer from the hard disk to RAM. RAM, on the other hand, is where all the active data and programs are stored so that they can be easily accessed by the CPU. The more the cache memory, the faster your computer will go. RAM is much faster than a hard disk, floppy disk, compact disk, or just any form of secondary storage media. On an average, it takes roughly 8 to 16 ms to access data from a hard disk drive, while accessing the same data from RAM takes about 50 to 80 nanoseconds. Cache is a very fast and small memory capable of delivering data at or near the speed of the CPU. Accessing cache memory is much faster than accessing the main memory.
What is ROM? Describe its type in brief
Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of storage medium that permanently stores data on personal computers (PCs) and other electronic devices. It contains the programming needed to start a PC, which is essential for boot-up that performs major input/output tasks and holds programs or software instructions. This type of memory is often referred to as “firmware” which is a source of design consideration throughout the evolution of the modern computer. ROM is read-only, it cannot be changed; it is permanent and non-volatile, meaning it also holds its memory even when power is removed. By contrast, random access memory (RAM) is volatile; it is lost when power is removed.
The use of the similar term “non-volatile memory” is applicable here (more on that later.) One could say that ROM is, in a sense, “stateful” in its enduring state, where RAM is “stateless.” In a typical modern computer, there are numerous ROM chips located on the motherboard and a few on expansion boards. The chips are essential for the basic input/output system (BIOS), boot up, reading and writing to peripheral devices, basic data management and the software for basic processes for certain utilities.
ROM may also be referred to as maskROM (MROM). MaskROM is a read-only memory that is static ROM and is programmed into an integrated circuit by the manufacturer. An example of MROM is the bootloader or solid-state ROM, the oldest type of ROM.
The history of read-only memory shows how this type of static memory has worked in engineering over the life cycle of the conventional computer.
Read-only memory was pioneered by machines like Mauchly and Eckert’s Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer or ENIAC in 1948, and then incarnated in integrated circuits in the 1960s. In earlier personal computers, tools like BASIC interpreters were used to implement read-only memory. The use of BIOS ROM in IBM compatible computers (mentioned above) also became common.
Define associative memory. List the advantages of associative memory.
A type of computer memory from which items may be retrieved by matching some part of their content, rather than by specifying their address (hence also called associative storage or Content-addressable memory (CAM).) Associative memory is much slower than RAM, and is rarely encountered in mainstream computer designs.
For example, that serves as an identifying tag. Associative memory is used in multilevel memory systems, in which a small fast memory such as a cache may hold copies of some blocks of a larger memory for rapid access.
To retrieve a word from associative memory, a search key (or descriptor) must be presented that represents particular values of all or some of the bits of the word. This key is compared in parallel with the corresponding lock or tag bits of all stored words, and all words matching this key are signaled to be available.
Associative memory is expensive to implement as integrated circuitry.Associative memory can be used in certain very-high-speed searching applications. Associative memory can search data (tags) for access by content of data rather than address.
Advantages of Associative memory :-
It is used where search time needs to be less or short.
It is suitable for parallel searches.
It is often used to speed up databases.
It is used in page tables used by virtual memory and used in neural networks.
