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Which of the following are considered internal memory? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are considered internal memory? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are considered External (Secondary) Memory? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are considered External (Secondary) Memory? (Select all that apply)
Internal memory is typically expressed only in terms of bytes.
Internal memory is typically expressed only in terms of bytes.
False
Internal memory is typically expressed in terms of words and bytes.
Internal memory is typically expressed in terms of words and bytes.
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External memory capacity is typically expressed in terms of words.
External memory capacity is typically expressed in terms of words.
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Which of the following is a common word length in internal memory?
Which of the following is a common word length in internal memory?
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What is the size of a char data type in bytes?
What is the size of a char data type in bytes?
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What is the size of a short int data type in bytes?
What is the size of a short int data type in bytes?
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The unit of transfer for internal memory is always equal to the word length.
The unit of transfer for internal memory is always equal to the word length.
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A 64-bit data bus means that 64 bits are transferred into or retrieved from memory at once.
A 64-bit data bus means that 64 bits are transferred into or retrieved from memory at once.
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The unit of transfer for external memory is typically a block of data larger than a word.
The unit of transfer for external memory is typically a block of data larger than a word.
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The smallest location that can be uniquely addressed in external memory is often called an addressable unit.
The smallest location that can be uniquely addressed in external memory is often called an addressable unit.
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For external memory, addresses are typically allocated using a cluster, which is a group of sectors on a disk.
For external memory, addresses are typically allocated using a cluster, which is a group of sectors on a disk.
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Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by tape drives?
Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by tape drives?
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Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by RAM and ROM?
Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by RAM and ROM?
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Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by cache memory?
Which of the following memory access methods is typically used by cache memory?
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Access time is the time it takes to perform a read or write operation in any type of memory.
Access time is the time it takes to perform a read or write operation in any type of memory.
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For non-random-access memory, access time is the time it takes to position the head at the desired location.
For non-random-access memory, access time is the time it takes to position the head at the desired location.
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Access time is a measure of how quickly a memory can be accessed, and a lower access time indicates a faster memory.
Access time is a measure of how quickly a memory can be accessed, and a lower access time indicates a faster memory.
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Memory cycle time considers only the access time.
Memory cycle time considers only the access time.
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A destructive read in memory is similar to reading a book, where the content is not altered by reading it.
A destructive read in memory is similar to reading a book, where the content is not altered by reading it.
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Memory cycle time is concerned with the system bus, not the processor.
Memory cycle time is concerned with the system bus, not the processor.
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Memory cycle time is a performance parameter, and a lower cycle time indicates a faster and more efficient memory.
Memory cycle time is a performance parameter, and a lower cycle time indicates a faster and more efficient memory.
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Transfer rate refers to how fast data can be moved between the processor and memory.
Transfer rate refers to how fast data can be moved between the processor and memory.
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A higher transfer rate means that data can be moved faster, which generally leads to better performance.
A higher transfer rate means that data can be moved faster, which generally leads to better performance.
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Which type of memory is commonly associated with semiconductor technology?
Which type of memory is commonly associated with semiconductor technology?
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Which type of memory is commonly associated with magnetic technology?
Which type of memory is commonly associated with magnetic technology?
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Which type of memory uses laser technology to store data?
Which type of memory uses laser technology to store data?
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A disk and a disc use the same technology to store data.
A disk and a disc use the same technology to store data.
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A common issue with volatile memory is that data is lost when the power is turned off.
A common issue with volatile memory is that data is lost when the power is turned off.
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Non-volatile memory requires a constant power supply to maintain data.
Non-volatile memory requires a constant power supply to maintain data.
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ROM is an example of erasable memory.
ROM is an example of erasable memory.
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The physical arrangement of bits into words is known as the organization of memory.
The physical arrangement of bits into words is known as the organization of memory.
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Study Notes
Memory Organization
- Memory is categorized into internal and external types.
- Internal memory is often associated with main memory.
- The processor utilizes its own local memory (registers)
- The processor's control unit also has its own internal memory.
- Cache is another form of internal memory.
- External memory includes peripheral storage devices (e.g., disk, tape).
- These devices are accessible via I/O (input/output) controllers to the processor.
Key Characteristics
- Type: Internal (registers, main memory, cache) and external (disks, tapes, optical).
- Performance: Access time, cycle time, transfer rate.
- Physical Type: Semiconductor, magnetic, optical, magneto-optical.
- Physical Characteristics: Volatile/non-volatile, erasable/non-erasable.
- Organization: Memory modules.
- Capacity: Expressed in words or bytes, with various word lengths (e.g., 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit).
- Unit of Transfer: Word, block; internal memory often uses word length, external uses blocks.
- Access Methods: Sequential, random, direct, associative.
Memory Types
- Internal Memory: Often associated with main memory; crucial for processor's local operations.
- External (Secondary) Memory: Peripheral storage. Accessed by the CPU through I/O controllers.
Memory Capacity
- Internal Memory: Measured in bytes and words. Common word lengths include 8, 16, and 32 bits, and multiples thereof.
- External Memory: Measured in bytes.
Data Types and Sizes
- char: Character or small integer; 1 byte; signed range: -128 to 127; unsigned range: 0 to 255.
- short int (short): Short integer; 2 bytes; signed range: -32768 to 32767; unsigned range: 0 to 65535.
- int: Integer; 4 bytes; signed range: -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647; unsigned range: 0 to 4,294,967,295.
- long int (long): Long integer; 4 bytes; signed range: -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647; unsigned range: 0 to 4,294,967,295.
Unit of Transfer
- Internal Memory: The unit size is often equal to the word length of the memory.
- External Memory: Blocks of data that's significantly larger than a word. Addressable unit is the smallest location that can be individually addressed. External memory frequently uses clusters to address larger storage units.
Access Methods
- Sequential: Data is accessed in a specific, ordered manner.
- Random: Individual addresses identify exact locations, enabling any location to be accessed directly.
- Direct: Hybrid of random and sequential; memory blocks have unique addresses, but access time varies with the block's location.
- Associative: Data retrieval is based on contents matching criteria; the content being sought dictates which locations are examined.
- Example: Cache uses associative access; hard drive uses direct access.
Performance Parameters
- Access Time: The time it takes to access a memory location that contains data that's either already stored, or made available. Lower is better.
- Memory Cycle Time: Access time + additional time needed before the next memory access can occur. It includes things like reading the data from the memory. Lower is better.
- Transfer Rate: Rate of data movement into or out of memory; higher transfer rates are better.
Physical Characteristics
- Decay: Information lost when power is disrupted.
- Volatility: A memory that requires constant power, versus a memory that doesn't.
- Erasability: Erasable versus non-erasable; read-only memory (ROM) is an example of a non-erasable memory.
- Physical Material Types: Semiconductor, magnetic, optical.
Organization
- Arrangement of bits to form words (the smallest addressable units) in memory. This includes physical layout and organization principles of memory modules.
Memory Hierarchy
- Decreasing cost per bit as you progress down the hierarchy. With cost reduction, access time and capacity increase as well.
- Strategies leverage a combination of fast, expensive memory and slow, abundant memory to optimize cost and accessibility.
Design Constraints
- Capacity/Size: Larger memory generally leads to slower access times.
- Speed: Memory speed must match the processor's speed.
- Cost: Cost/bit must be balanced for required system performance.
Practical Solutions
- Employing a memory hierarchy—combining fast, small, expensive memory with slower, larger, less expensive memory.
- Reducing the access frequency from the processor to the larger slower memory by leveraging appropriate memory hierarchy.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the different types of memory in computing, including internal and external memory classifications. Learn about their characteristics, performance metrics, and organization. Test your knowledge on key concepts such as registers, cache, and storage devices.
