计算机专业英语文章-存储器.docVIP

Memory Devices 　　1）RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORYRandom-access memory，or RAM，is the kind of memory we usually refer to when we speak of computer memory．It is the most widely used type，and consists of rows of chips with locations established in tables maintained by the control unit．As the name suggests，items stored in RAM can be gotten（accessed）both easily and in any order（randomly）rather than in some sequence．RAM relies on electric current for all its operations；moreover，if the power is turned off or interrupted，RAM quickly empties itself of all your hard work．Thus，we say RAM is-volatile，or nonpermanent．　　2）READ-ONLY MEMORY 　　Read-only memory，or ROM，typically holds programs．These programs are manufactured，or“hard-wired”in place on the ROM chips．For example，a microcomputer has a built-in ROM chip（sometimes called ROM BIOS，for ROM basic input/output system）that stores critical programs such as the one that starts up，or“boots”，the computer．ROM is“slower”than RAM memory，and as a result，items in ROM are transferred to RAM when needed for fast processing．Items held in ROM can be read，but they cannot be changed or erased by normal input methods．New items cannot be written into ROM．The only way to change items in most forms of ROM is to change the actual circuits． 　　3）MAGNETIC DISKS　The magnetic disk is a circular platter with a smooth surface and a coating that can be magnetized．Data is stored on it as magnetized spots．The reading and recording device，the disk drive，spins the disk past read/write heads that detect or write the magnetized spots on the disk．　　4）CD-ROMS　　Optical disks need thin beams of concentrated light to store and read data．It is a form of laser storage，called CD-ROM．There are two types of optical disks that can he user-recorded：WORM and erasable optical．WORM stands for“write once，read many”：Data can be written to this disk just one time，but the data can be read many times．Erasable optical disks can be written to，read，and erased．　　5）MAGNETIC TAPE　　A magn