main memory

main memory

[′mān ′mem·rē]

(computer science)

main storage

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

main memory

(storage, architecture)

The storage device used by a computer to hold the currently executing program and its working data. A modern computer's main memory is built from random-access memory integrated circuits. In the old days ferrite core memory was one popular form of main memory, leading to the use of the term "core" for main memory.

Computers have several other sorts of memory, distinguished by their access time, storage capicity, cost, and the typical lifetime or rate of change of the data they hold. Registers in the CPU are fast, few, expensive and typically change every few machine instructions. Other kinds are cache, PROM, magnetic disk (which may be used for virtual memory) and magnetic tape.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

main memory

Main memory is the primary, internal workspace in the computer, commonly known as RAM (random access memory). Specifications such as 4GB, 8GB, 12GB and 16GB almost always refer to the capacity of RAM. In contrast, disk or solid state storage capacities in a computer are typically 128GB or 256GB and higher. In a smartphone or tablet, solid state storage generally starts at 32GB or 64GB. The exception to these rules is the Chromebook, which may have only 16GB of solid state storage (see Chromebook). See memory and storage.

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