| Computer memory refers to either of two types of | | | | better.Beyond operating system demands, the |
| computer storage. Volatile memory refers to RAM | | | | amount of RAM required depends on the applications |
| that needs to be constantly refreshed to be retained. | | | | to be run. For example, heavy graphics, real time |
| Static memory is permanent storage that is retained | | | | video, and such need more RAM to keep things from |
| even after the computer is turned off.RAM or | | | | slowing to a crawl or stop. Generally, off-the-rack |
| Random Access Memory is volatile memory that is | | | | machines come with 8 to 16MB, more than enough |
| erased when the power goes off. Program | | | | for a general purpose computer.With improved |
| instructions and data held in RAM can be accessed | | | | handling of memory, reduced access times, and lower |
| and saved much more quickly than that held in | | | | cost have conspired to make larger amounts of RAM |
| permanent storage. Therefore, files needed to run a | | | | practical. Which in turn has given programmers free |
| program and data that is being processed are held in | | | | rein to add more bells and whistles. This also helps |
| RAM while they are in use. The amount of RAM you | | | | programmers to become more creative in writing |
| need depends at least partly on the operating | | | | programs that require more RAM. There is reason to |
| system( a program that directs all the basic functions | | | | believe that this trend will continue.As for static |
| of a computer such as accepting commands from a | | | | memory, you don't have to be very old to |
| keyboard, displaying input on a monitor screen, and | | | | remember buying a computer without a hard drive, |
| controlling disk drives and some other peripheral | | | | then later installing a 20MB hard drive, unable to |
| devices) you select as well as the type of programs | | | | imagine ever needing more storage than that. Today, |
| you intend to run.When you boot up the computer, | | | | a 250MB hard drive is popular; however, most new |
| in other words turn it on, the operating system or | | | | computers are in the 500 to 1000MB( 1 gigabyte) |
| part of it is loaded into the RAM along with a variety | | | | range. And you may need all of that MB and then |
| of utilities required for normal operation. Therefore, | | | | some.Computer Memory fact #1: For the faint of |
| programs and data are loaded into what's left. As | | | | heart, when programs or data files are called up from |
| little as 2MB(megabytes) total will suffice for most | | | | permanent storage, they are not moved, they are |
| DOS( disk operating system-a proprietary program | | | | merely copied. If the power goes off during |
| that controls all the basic functions of a computer) | | | | processing, programs generally are safe. The only loss |
| programs. In a Windows 3.x environment, 4MB is the | | | | will be data that was changed since the last save. |
| recommended minimum, but 8MB runs far | | | | |