CS 25000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Flash Memory, Von Neumann Architecture, Sequential Access

• School: Purdue University
• Department: Computer Sciences
• Course: CS 25000
• Professor: Adams George

Document Summary

This chapter introduces the second major component used in computer systems: memories. From the programmer"s pov, the main memory holds running programs as well as the data the programs uses. In a broader sense, computer systems use a storage hierarchy that includes general-purposes registers, main memory, and secondary storage. The term memory refers specifically to main memory and the term storage for the broader hierarchy and the abstractions programmers use with the hierarchy. An architect views memory as a solid-state digital device that provides storage for data values. When an architect begins to design a memory system, two key choices arise: technology. Refers to the properties of the underlying hardware mechanisms used to construct the memory system: organization. Refers to the way the underlying technology is used to form a working system. In essence, memory technology refers to the lowest-level hardware pieces (i. e. individual chips) and memory organization refers to how those pieces are combined to create meaningful storage systems.