Student Name: SuknAn Siktpkarzai Student ID:105106819 Course Code: SC1-COS10031 Assignment Lab 05 (Part-1) Question-1 Review the lecture slides on types of memory and provide a short answer to the following questions (using your own words): 1. What is ROM and what is its primary purpose ? -ROM stands for Read Only Memory which is a non-volatile i.e. permanent memory in which data can only be read, not changed. The primary purpose of the ROM is to hold the instruction needed to boot the computer every time it's turned on. 2. What is RAM and how is it different from ROM ? -RAM stands for Random Access Memory which is a volatile memory i.e. temporary memory in which the data is lost when system is turned off. RAM is different from ROM as RAM completely loses its temporary data when power is turned off while ROM keeps its data even when the power/system if off. 3. What is the difference between static RAM and dynamics RAM ? ->Static RAM retains data without needing constant refreshing whereas dynamic RAM requires refreshing to retain/maintain the data. Also, static RAM is faster and consumes relatively small amount of power while dynamic RAM is slower and less-power efficient
4. What type of memory is typically used in USB thumb drives ? Why shouldn't we rely on this for critical data storage ? - Flash memory is typically used in USB thumb drives which writes the data by injecting electrons. Due to its limited number of writing cycles (about 30,000 writes) we shouldn't rely on flash memory for critical data storage. Question-2 Consider a computer with 1GB RAM (1024 MB). Given memory addressing is for each byte, how many bits are needed to address all bytes in the system's RAM ? 2 Consider a computer with 1 GB RAM (1024 MB) Given memory adressing is for each byte, how many bits are needed to address all bytes in the system's RAM? -> Given that the memory has 1GB of RAM which is equal to 1024x 1024 megabytes re. 1024×1024X1024 bytes Total number of bytes = 1024x1024x1024 = 1073741824 Here, total number of bytes which is 10243 (1073741824) is equal to 230 Using noor function, we get to know that 30 bits are required to address all bytes in system's RAM
Question-3 Give a brief description of the Von Neumann and Harvard computing architectures. What are the fundamental differences between the two and for what is is each designed to achieve ? -> Von Neumann is the most common CPU architecture which has control bits and data bits sharing the same memory space, unlike Harvard architecture. It allows processes to be interrupted and stored as data while higher priority tasks are executed, then restored and resumed. Von Neumann architecture relies on a stack, which can be implemented in both software and hardware. Harvard architecture is a computer architecture known for keeping instructions and data separate. It typically runs faster and is more secure than Von Neumann architecture.