Memory (RAM)

What is RAM?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which we call as Memory or RAM.

• It is basically store all variables.
• It is measured in bytes.
• It has two components;
  • value
  • address

Storing Array of Integers in RAM

In this case, we have an array of integers. For example, we have [1, 2, 3]. But how can we store all these integers in the RAM, as computers only understand bits 0 or 1.

So the integer will be converted into bits like for example, 1 can be represented as 00000001, 2 as 00000010, and 3 as 00000011. Then we can only put that into RAM.

RAM can be consider as contiguous block of data (memory is allocated to a process or file needing it), which means that it has two components which are value and address. Each element in array will be stored continously in order. Do take note that, we cannot determine and choose what location the data will be stored into the RAM.

You might have a question, why the address is incrementing by 4 every time?

• You need to know that Integers are occupying 4 bytes (32 bits) in memory. So every integer that stored in the RAM will take 4 bytes to store.
• Each integer takes 32 bits of space, 4 bytes, hence the addresses are 4 bytes apart

Storing Array of Characters in RAM

Storing characters is also pretty the same as integers, just the address is different, as each character only takes 1 byte to store in memory.

Each character takes 8 bits of space, 1 byte, hence the addresses are 1 byte apart.