The Central
Processing Unit is the computer logic chip that executes instructions
(processes) received from programs that reside in the main computer
memory (RAM). These instructions are stored in binary language.
Random
Access Memory (RAM)
Random
Access Memory is the main computer memory, which is often referred
to as primary memory. RAM is located on small hardware
cards called SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Module) or DIMMs (Dual
Inline Memory Module) that are connected to the motherboard. Primary
memory is the part of memory where the activity of the operating
system takes place. Most computers sold in the U.S. through retailers
today come with at least 32 megabytes of RAM.
A software
program resides on the hard disk until it is called into
RAM. Although the software program stays on the hard disk, an
image (copy) of that program is loaded into RAM.
Images
in RAM remain as long as they are needed. Once these images are
no longer required, they are overwritten by other images. Moreover,
if power is lost, images in RAM disappear.
