Jacob Wang Week 16: Computer Memory
I originally did not plan on studying for the AP Computer Science Principles test, as I know how to code and it is supposedly really easy. However, I realized that I should probably review the non-programming topics as well because I don't really know a lot of how that works. While looking up how computers work, I came upon this article about how computer memories work.
First, I think there are some interesting parallels between this and the human brain. Contrary to what I originally thought, memory mostly stores data used on current processes rather than long term data which is in the storage. It’s similar to human short-term memory, like when I do mental math and just store expressions in my head temporarily.
So primary memory is the main memory that the computer uses to do things like storing data, programs, and more while the computer is doing operations. It is also sometimes called semiconductor memory because it's made using a lot of them.
The first type of primary memory is RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory that only temporarily stores data. If the power supply were to run out or something else were to not work the RAM would lose all the temporary data in it. The other primary memory is ROM (Read-Only Memory) which is not a volatile memory that stores information even if power runs out, which is why it is sometimes called permanent memory. This memory contains the base information that is used to operate the system.
Where the more long-term stuff is stored is in the secondary memory which is non-volatile. This memory is more reliable, cheaper, and reusable. As it is just for containing information and cannot be directly accessed by the CPU, this memory is not required to actually run the computer.
Hi Jacob! I find your blog really interesting as you contrasted the parallels between a computer and the human brain. How you contrasted memory to long term and short term memories in the human brain made me realize how alike we are to computers. It makes me wonder if computers were actually modeled after us and we just kept improving them. The way they relate to memory is also really interesting as well because of their own individual function. Overall, it was really interesting to see the way your blog contrasts the parallelism between memory and the human brain! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Jacob! I really enjoyed reading your blog, and particularly I liked how you connected computer memory to human brain. It really makes the idea of humans creating systems to replicate our own memory make so much more sense. Although we all use computers daily it is sometimes hard to actually realise how similar these our to our brains especially like you mentioned, memory. We know it so well that we expect them to run as though they too are humans. It is interesting that despite the fact that the ROM barely changes it is crucial to keep everything running. Similarly how RAM stores temporary data, just like how human brains can retain to two types of memory. One that is crucial to remember, things we are not conscious about, like for example breathing. Breathing is crucial and things for instance to do list is not. Overall I liked how you incorporated your blog with your personal experience studying.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jacob! I found this blog to be very interesting, I appreciate your explanation of how computer memory is very similar to the human brain. I find this funny because as humans, it makes sense that we would create a system that functions similarly to our own system! I think that computers in general are very similar to the way our brains actually work, most likely because we expect them to function like humans do. I really liked your explanation of ROM and RAM and the way in which you connected it all back to your own experiences. This blog was very interesting and informative, great job!
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