[1] : WordNet (r) 2.0

random-access memory
     n : the most common computer memory which can be used by
         programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is
         on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information
         to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage
         locations are equally accessible syn: random access
         memory, random memory, ram, read/write memory
see also:
random access memory random memory ram read/write memory 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

random-access memory
     
         ram previously "direct-access memory".  a data
        storage device for which the order of access to different
        locations does not affect the speed of access.  this is in
        contrast to, say, a magnetic disk, magnetic tape or a
        mercury delay line where it is very much quicker to access
        data sequentially because accessing a non-sequential location
        requires physical movement of the storage medium rather than
        just electronic switching.
     
        the most common form of ram in use today is built from
        semiconductor integrated circuits, which can be either
        static sram or dynamic dram.  in the 1970s magnetic
        core memory was used.  ram is still referred to as core by
        some old-timers.
     
        the term "ram" has gained the additional meaning of
        read-write.  most kinds of semiconductor read-only memory
        rom are actually "random access" in the above sense but are
        never referred to as ram.  furthermore, memory referred to as
        ram can usually be read and written equally quickly
        approximately, in contrast to the various kinds of
        programmable read-only memory.  finally, ram is usually
        volatile though non-volatile random-access memory is also
        used.
     
        interestingly, some dram devices are not truly random access
        because various kinds of "page mode" or "column mode" mean
        that sequential access is faster than random access.
     
        1995-12-05
     
     
see also:
magnetic disk magnetic tape mercury delay line semiconductor integrated circuit sram 
dram core read-only memory programmable read-only memory non-volatile random-access memory 
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Memory, definition of term: Memory
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Memory Loss >> M Words
Memory Loss, definition of term: Memory Loss
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Memory Farts >> M Words
Memory Farts, definition of term: Memory Farts
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Memory Manageme, definition of term: Memory Manageme
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Memory Protecti, definition of term: Memory Protecti
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Memory Device >> M Words
Memory Device, definition of term: Memory Device
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Virtual Memory >> V Words
Virtual Memory, definition of term: Virtual Memory
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Shared Memory, definition of term: Shared Memory
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Cache Memory >> C Words
Cache Memory, definition of term: Cache Memory
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Expanded Memory >> E Words
Expanded Memory, definition of term: Expanded Memory
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