4.2.5

Memory - Cache

Test yourself

Cache

Cache memory is a small amount of fast memory inside the processor. It is usually made of EEPROM flash memory.

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Non-volatile

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

RAM vs ROM

Random Access Memory and Read-Only Memory are two types of main memory.

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RAM

  • RAM is volatile.
  • RAM is much faster to access than secondary storage.
  • RAM is much more expensive per unit capacity than secondary storage media.
  • Random Access means that any part of the memory can be accessed as quickly as any other part of the memory.
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ROM

  • ROM is non-volatile.
  • ROM is often made from flash memory.
  • ROM usually only stores the BIOS.
  • ROM is very fast to access.
  • ROM is expensive, so tends to be only small.

Jump to other topics

1Problem Solving

1.1Algorithms

1.1.1Algorithm Thinking

1.1.2Interpreting Algorithms

1.1.3Expressing Algorithms - Pseudocode

1.1.4Expressing Algorithms - Flow Charts

1.1.5Correcting Algorithms

1.1.6Completing Algorithms

1.1.7Search Algorithms

1.1.8Linear Search

1.1.9Binary Search

1.1.10Sort Algorithms

1.1.11Bubble Sort

1.1.12Merge Sort

1.2Decomposition & Abstraction

1.2.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction

1.2.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Algorithms

2Programming

2.1Develop Code

2.1.1Maintainability

2.1.2Comments

2.1.3Exceptions

2.1.4Syntax Error

2.1.5Logic Error

2.1.6Runtime Error

2.1.7Purpose of Testing

2.1.8Test Plans

2.2Constructs

2.2.1Selection

2.2.2Sequence

2.2.3Iteration

2.3Data Types & Structures

2.3.1Variables & Constants

2.3.2Scope

2.3.3Data Types

2.3.4Casting

2.3.5Data Structures - Arrays

2.3.6Data Structures - 2D Arrays

2.3.7Data Structures - Strings

2.3.8Data Structures - Records

2.4Input / Output

2.4.1Input and Output

2.4.2Validation and Sanitation

2.4.3Files

2.4.4File Handling

2.5Operators

2.5.1Arithmetic Operators

2.5.2Relational Operators

2.5.3Boolean Operators

2.6Subprograms

2.6.1Modularity

2.6.2End of Topic Test - Programming

3Data

3.1Binary

3.1.1Number Bases

3.1.2Negative Binary Numbers

3.1.3Binary Addition

3.1.4Binary Shifts

3.2Data Representation

3.2.1Representing Text

3.2.2ASCII

3.2.3Unicode

3.2.4Representing Images

3.2.5Representing Sound

3.3Data Storage & Compression

3.3.1Capacity

3.3.2Calculating Capacity Requirements

3.3.3Data Compression

3.3.4Run Length Encoding

3.4Encryption

3.4.1Encryption

3.4.2Caesar Cipher

3.4.3Ciphers

3.5Databases

3.5.1Databases

3.5.2End of Topic Test - Data & Representation

4Computers

4.1Machines & Computational Modelling

4.1.1Computational Models

4.1.2Input-Process-Output Model

4.2Hardware

4.2.1Elements of Computer Systems

4.2.2Types of Computer Systems

4.2.3Memory - RAM

4.2.4Memory - ROM

4.2.5Memory - Cache

4.2.6Running Out of Memory

4.2.7Virtual Memory

4.2.8Magnetic Storage

4.2.9Properties of Magnetic Media

4.2.10Examples of Magnetic Storage

4.2.11Solid State Storage

4.2.12Properties of Solid State Media

4.2.13Optical Storage

4.2.14Properties of Optical Storage

4.2.15Examples of Optical Storage

4.2.16Types of Optical Disk

4.2.17Von Neumann Architecture

4.2.18Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

4.2.19Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

4.2.20Factors Affecting CPU Performance

4.2.21The Cloud

4.2.22How the Cloud Works

4.2.23The Cloud - Pros

4.2.24The Cloud - Cons

4.2.25End of Topic Test - Hardware

4.3Logic

4.3.1Binary Systems

4.3.2Logic Circuits

4.3.3Boolean Logic

4.3.4End of Topic Test - Logic

4.4Software

4.4.1Operating Systems

4.4.2User Interface Managetment

4.4.3Memory and Process Management

4.4.4File Management

4.4.5Device Management

4.4.6User Management

4.4.7Encryption Software

4.4.8Defragmentation Software

4.4.9Data Compression Software

4.4.10Backup Software

4.5Programming Languages

4.5.1High Level Languages

4.5.2Low Level Languages

4.5.3Translators - Compilers

4.5.4Translators - Interpreters

4.5.5Translators - Assemblers

4.5.6End of Topic Test - Translation & Representation

5Communication & The Internet

5.1Networks

5.1.1Benefits of Networks

5.1.2Network Performance

5.1.3Types of Network

5.1.4Client-Server Model

5.1.5Pros of Client-Server Model

5.1.6Cons of Client-Server Model

5.1.7Peer-to-Peer Model

5.1.8Pros of Peer-to-Peer Model

5.1.9Cons of Peer-to-Peer Model

5.1.10Network Hardware

5.1.11Transmission Media

5.1.12WiFi

5.1.13WiFi Frequency and Channels

5.1.14WiFi Encryption

5.1.15Network Protocols

5.1.16Transmission Protocols

5.1.17Web Protocols

5.1.18Email Protocols

5.1.19Layers

5.1.20TCP and OSI Models

5.1.21Advantages of Layering

5.1.22Topology - Star

5.1.23Topology - Mesh

5.1.24Topology - Ring

5.1.25Topology - Bus

5.1.26End of Topic Test - Networks

5.2Network Security

5.2.1User Access Levels

5.2.2Encryption

5.2.3Protecting Against Malware

5.2.4Firewalls

5.2.5Forms of Attack

5.2.6Penetration Testing

5.2.7Malware

5.2.8How Malware Spreads

5.2.9Social Engineering

5.2.10Protecting Against Social Engineering

5.2.11Phishing

5.2.12Network Administration

5.2.13Network Forensics

5.3The Internet & the World Wide Web

5.3.1IP Addresses

5.3.2Types of IP Address

5.3.3MAC Addresses

5.3.4Packet Switching

5.3.5How Do Packets Get Routed?

5.3.6Did My Data Arrive Safely?

5.3.7The Internet

5.3.8URLs

5.3.9DNS

5.3.10Web Hosting

5.3.11End of Topic Test - Security

6The Bigger Picture

6.1Emerging Trends, Issues & Impact

6.1.1E-Waste

6.1.2Energy Consumption

6.1.3Positive Environmental Impact

6.1.4Ethical Issues - The Digital Divide

6.1.5Ethical Issues - Net Neutrality

6.1.6Ethical Issues - Working Conditions

6.1.7Ethical Issues - Censorship

6.1.8Online Activity Tracking

6.1.9The Internet of Things

6.1.10Positive Cultural Impacts

6.1.11Negative Cultural Impacts

6.1.12Data Protection Act

6.1.13Computer Misuse Act

6.1.14Copyright Designs and Parents Act

6.1.15Creative Commons Licensing

6.1.16Freedom of Information Act

6.1.17Open Source Software

6.1.18Proprietary Software

6.1.19Licensing Issues

6.1.20End of Topic Test - Software & Issues

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Memory - ROM

Running Out of Memory