Flash Memory

Uses of Flash Memory

Flash memory is usually based on a technology called Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). EEPROM can be used to create many flash memory devices:

ROM chips

The Read-Only Memory chips on board modern Central Processing Units (CPUs) are made from EEPROM.
This provides the software needed for the computer to start.

Solid State Drives (SSD)

SSDs are often used in home computers because of their performance.
SSDs are a form of re-writable flash storage.

Secure Digital (SD) cards

SD cards are used to extend the capacity of devices such as:
- Cameras.
- Smartphones.
- Tablets.
They provide high capacity for their physical size. This is useful in these smaller devices.

Properties of Flash Memory

Flash memory is a type of memory technology that can be used to create primary or secondary storage. It is commonly used to make Read-Only Memory (ROM), and Solid State Drives (SSDs).

Non-volatile

Flash memory is non-volatile. This means that it will keep its contents once power is switched off.

Short lifetime

Flash memory can only be flashed (re-written) a certain number of times before it starts to degrade.
We may lose access to the drive once the flash memory has degraded past a point.
Re-writable devices often include several blocks of flash memory. This means that only one block must be flashed at a time and so the device will last longer.

Fast access

Flash memory is significantly faster than many other storage media such as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).
This is partly because flash memory does not have any moving parts, and so we do not need to wait for parts to move before we can access the drive.

Robust

Flash memory is not easily damaged by shocks.
Flash memory is appropriate in scenarios where it might be exposed to lots of vibrations. For example:
- Industrial machinery.
- Vehicles.

1Components of a Computer

1.1Structure & Function of the Processor

1.1.1Structure of the CPU

1.1.2Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle

1.1.3Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.4CPU Architecture

1.2Types of Processors

1.2.1CISC & RISC

1.2.2Multicore & Parallel Cores

1.3Input, Output & Storage

1.3.1Computer Systems

1.3.2Magnetic Storage

1.3.3Optical Storage

1.3.4Types of Optical Storage

1.3.5Types of Memory

1.3.6Flash Memory

1.3.7Virtual Memory

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

4.1Data Types

4.1.1Data Types

4.1.2Arrays & Strings

4.1.3Representing Numbers

4.1.4Binary Arithmetic

4.1.5Hexadecimal

4.1.6Converting Binary Numbers

4.1.7Floating Points in Binary

4.1.8Floating Point Arithmetic

4.1.9Bitwise Manipulation

4.1.10Character Sets

4.2Data Structures

4.2.1Arrays, Linked Lists & Queues

4.2.2Graphs, Hash Tables & Stacks

4.2.3Trees

4.3Boolean Algebra

4.3.1Computational Logic

4.3.2Boolean Logic

4.3.3Karnaugh Maps

4.3.4Boolean Identities

4.3.5Flip Flops & Adder Circuits

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

5.1Computing Related Legislation

5.1.1Data Protection Act (1998)

5.1.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)

5.1.3Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)

5.1.4Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

5.2Moral & Ethical Issues

5.2.1Online Activity Tracking

5.2.2Censorship

5.2.3Cultural Issues

5.2.4Environmental Issues

5.2.5Layout, Colour Paradigms & Character Sets

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.1.1Abstraction

6.2Thinking Procedurally

6.2.1Decomposition

6.3Thinking Logically

6.3.1Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

7Problem Solving & Programming

7.1Programming Techniques

7.1.1Programming Fundamentals

7.1.2Modularity

7.2Programming Construction

7.2.1Integrated Development Environments

7.2.2Testing

8Algorithms

8.1Algorithms

8.1.1Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm

8.1.2Sort Algorithms

8.1.3Insertion & Merge Sort

8.1.4Search Algorithms

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