Difference Between RAM & ROM

Difference Between RAM & ROM

RAM and ROM are the internal memories in a computer. I think you have heard these names countless times—RAM and ROM. They are located on the mother board of a computer system. You must have learned or heard about them in your computer class. There is some diffference between RAM and ROM. By reading this you will get to know about the types of memory in computers, types of RAM, and types of ROM.

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory is the full form of RAM which is the largest internal memory unit in a computer. RAM is used to store the programs, operating systems and data being used by the CPU in real time  so that the processor can retrieve it quickly.

The RAM is the memory bank for the computer. The data can be read, written, and erased many times on the RAM. RAM is also called a volatile memory. Volitile memory means if you shut down the system once, all data stored in the memory will be lost. That's why random access memory can't be used as a permanent storage although it's way faster than the traditional magnetic disk-based hard drives. RAM is used for synchronise the processing the speed of processor. It also access speed of secondary storage. The high capacity of RAM increase the speed of the computer system.

Types of RAM

There are two types of RAM. They are SRAM means Static RAM  and DRAM means Dynamic RAM.

SRAM : Static random access memory (SRAM) is works for stores data using a 6-transistor memory cell. Generally SRAM is used as a cache memory for processors. It is not replaceable by the end user.

DRAM : Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) stores data using a pair of transistors and capacitors. It is more cheaper than SRAM, but the operating speed is slow than SRAM. 

What is ROM?

Read Only Memory is the abbreviation of ROM. ROM is a type of memory where data has been pre-recorded. Generally it is used in the start up process of a computer system. ROM is a non volatile storage which means it does not required power to retain information stored in it. If power is lost or turned off then no problem. ROM chip will keep your information stored. Write into ROM is not possible unlike in RAM. It is not user programmable.

Types of ROM :

There are three kinds of ROM. Which are PROM, EPROM and EEPROM.

PROM : PROM means Programmable ROM. It can be modified just once by users.

EPROM : EPROM means Erasable and Programmable ROM. The datas on EPROM is capable of being erased by the ultraviolet rays. It can be reprogrammed also.

EEPROM : EEPROM means Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM which is capable of being reprogrammed if happens loadshedding (about 10000 times).