Random Access Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory is a volatile memory and once we put on the computer, it reads the RAM size of our computer or memory space available for our software. The program in RAM is erased as soon as we put off the computer. Therefore, RAM is a volatile memory.

Random Access Memory can be divided into two major categories - the Static RAM (SRAM) and the Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Static Random Access Memory is capable of storing information statically as long as power is supplied to the device. Dynamic memory will only store information for a few milliseconds before it is lost. A few milliseconds of time may not seem much, but within this length of time microprocessor is able to accomplish quite a few tasks.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Read Only Memory can be subdivided into many different categories, such as PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The ROM is a device that is mask programme at the factory by the manufacturer in the last phase of fabrication. It is most often used to a large production runs because the manufacturer charges thousands of dollars for the initial mask.

The PROM is a field programmable device programmed by a machine called PROM burner or PROM programmer. Here, the programming is done only once.

The EPROM has an advantage over the PROM because it can be erased. The EPROM is erased by exposing it to a high-intensity ultraviolet light for approximately 6 to 40 minutes.

The EEPROM is a device that can be programmed and erased electrically. It is often called read mostly memory (RMM) - since it is often used to store data for an extended period of time.

For an example, as soon as we put on the computer, the messages displayed and other devices connected to it are checked by the program inside the ROM, which is called firmware.

Monitor (Visual Display Unit)

Every computer must have a display terminal called Visual Display Terminal (VDT) or Visual Display Unit (VDU). Instant reference of hardware and software level interpretation is displayed on the monitor. This is basically Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). The information regarding bits (0s and 1s) are displayed on the monitor in character form which we see as alphanumeric characters. Only the characters can be seen on the screen. Each screen has very tiny blinking materials caused to appear by electric current called pixel. The higher the number of pixels on the screen, (it is assumed that) the higher is the resolution or better is the character display or graphics display.

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Visual Display Unit (VDU)  has, usually 24 lines or rows and 80 columns. Different types of monitors are listed below:

MDA - Monochrome Display Adapter (one colour B/W)

CGA - Coloured Graphics Adapter (colour Red Green Blue)

MCGA - Multi-Colour Graphics Adapter

EGA - Enhanced Graphics Adapter

VGA - Video Graphics Array

SVGA - Super Video Graphics Array

LCD - Liquid Crystal Display

Artificial Intelligence

It is an advanced concept of computer science that studies how human think, and then attempts to apply that knowledge in hardware and software to give computers similar capabilities. Areas of research include speech and pattern recognition, the ability to perform language translations, natural language processing, the ability to learn from previous experience, and the information. Practical applications for AI range from medical diagnostics to computer configuration and the interpretation of oil well logging data. In Artificial Intelligence, problem solving and decision making system that uses a computer representation derived from the knowledge and experience of a human expert is called expert system. An expert system consists of two parts: the domain or database of factual knowledge about the subject, and a set of rules that provide a method of using that knowledge. Expert systems are usually confined to a very narrow area of expertise. This is also known as rule-based system.