← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory: fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use. It is volatile, so everything in it is lost when the power is turned off.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 9, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 6, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.1 Computer Architecture — Module 3, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 3, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 24, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 7, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 15

Understanding Memory (RAM) in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: A larger amount of RAM gives more working space, so more programs and data can be held at the same time. RAM holds what is being used right now and is cleared at shutdown. Storage devices like a hard drive or SSD keep files for the long term. RAM is volatile, so its contents disappear when the power goes off. Volatile memory needs power to hold its data. Storage keeps data without power. RAM forgets everything when the power is off. RAM is much faster than storage, but it is temporary. Storage is slower but permanent. Unsaved work sits in RAM. Saving copies it to storage so it stays after the power goes off.

Common mistakes: A single = assigns a value, but an if statement needs to compare. It should be if power_on == False: to check whether the power is off, which is when RAM loses its data. The line is missing the = assignment operator, so the amount of RAM is never stored in the variable. It should be ram_gb = 8.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
Which describes RAM?
Permanent memory that keeps your files for yearsFast, temporary memory for data and programs currently in use
Matches
Turn off the computer and the files in RAM are saved forever
↓
RAM is volatile, so its contents are lost when the power is off. Files must be saved to storage to be kept.
Applying
Meanings
Term
RAM
Meaning
Random Access Memory: fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use. It is volatile, so everything in it is lost when the power is turned off.
Practice
RAM = fast temporary memory
Testing
Gaps
= Random Access Memory
Check Answer
Spots
2ram_data = "open game"
3if power_on = False:

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Quick Questions

1. Which describes RAM?
A. Fast, temporary memory for data and programs currently in use ✓
B. Permanent memory that keeps your files for years
RAM holds what the computer is using right now. Storage devices keep files long term.
2. What happens to data in RAM when the power is turned off?
A. It is kept safe
B. It is lost ✓
RAM is volatile, so its contents disappear when the power goes off.
3. RAM is a type of volatile memory. What does volatile mean?
A. Data can never be changed
B. Data is lost when power is off ✓
Volatile memory needs power to hold its data.
4. A computer with more RAM can usually...
A. Run more programs at once ✓
B. Store more photos permanently
More RAM gives more working space for programs in use. Storage size decides how many files you can keep.
5. Where are your saved files kept when the computer is switched off?
A. Storage (like an SSD or hard drive) ✓
B. RAM
Storage keeps data without power. RAM forgets everything when the power is off.

Match the Pairs

RAM → Fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use
volatile memory → Memory that loses everything stored in it when the power is turned off
More RAM lets a computer keep more programs open and running at once → RAM = 16 GB # can run more programs than 4 GB
RAM is temporary working memory, while storage keeps files even when the power is off → RAM = temporary, storage = permanent
Turn off the computer and the files in RAM are saved forever → RAM is volatile, so its contents are lost when the power is off. Files must be saved to storage to be kept.
RAM is where all my photos and games are kept permanently → Photos and games are kept permanently in storage, not RAM. RAM only holds data and programs currently in use.

Key Term

RAM
Random Access Memory: fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use. It is volatile, so everything in it is lost when the power is turned off.

Fill in the Blanks

1. RAM = Random Access Memory
Hint: Type the acronym for the fast, temporary memory a computer uses.
2. RAM is volatile: data is lost at power off
Hint: Type the word for memory that loses its data when the power is off.
3. More RAM lets more programs run at once
Hint: Type the word meaning at the same time.
4. RAM is temporary; storage keeps files saved
Hint: Type the part of a computer that keeps files saved long term, unlike RAM.
5. RAM is fast memory for data in use now
Hint: Type the word describing how quickly RAM can be read and written.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A power_on = False
B ram_data = "open game"
C if power_on = False:
D ram_data = ""
E print(ram_data)
Line C — A single = assigns a value, but an if statement needs to compare. It should be if power_on == False: to check whether the power is off, which is when RAM loses its data.
Question 2
A ram_gb 8
B programs = 4
C if ram_gb >= 8:
D print("Runs smoothly")
Line A — The line is missing the = assignment operator, so the amount of RAM is never stored in the variable. It should be ram_gb = 8.
Question 3
A open_apps = []
B open_apps.add("browser")
C open_apps.append("music")
D print(len(open_apps))
Line B — Python lists have no add method. Use append to put another open program into the list, like open_apps.append("browser"). More programs in RAM means a longer list.
Question 4
A ram = ["game", "music"]
B storage = ["photos", "files"]
C power_off = True
D if power_off: storage = []
E print(storage)
Line D — Storage is not volatile, so it keeps its data when the power is off. Only RAM is cleared, so the line should be if power_off: ram = [].
Question 5
A total = 8
B used = "3"
C free = total - used
D print(free)
Line B — The used RAM is written as a string, so it cannot be subtracted from the number total. It should be the number used = 3.

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