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Storing Data

Electronic sub-systems that store data are known as 'memory'. They can only store digital data.

One item of data is stored in one location in the memory. The data could be the correct combination to disarm a burglar alarm, or the temperature of an engine block. Each memory location has a unique address, a number used to identify the particular location. This means that we can draw up a map of the memory, showing what data is held in each location.

Address		Data stored
In decimal	In binary
0	000	11101001
1	001	00100101
2	010	10000101
3	011	11001101
4	100	01110100
5	101	00011011
6	110	11110011
7	111	10000101

The decimal version of the address is included to make the table easier to read. Electronic systems understand only binary numbers. This very small memory has 8 locations. Notice that it is normal to start the numbering at 0! This memory needs a 3 bit binary number to allow different addresses for each location. It allows us to store items of data that are 8 bits long. More jargon - 8 bits is also known as 1 'byte' (B). Our example memory system could be called a 8 x 1B memory.

Memory systems used in computers are much larger than this. Data is often stored as 32 bit numbers, allowing much larger numbers to be stored. There are many more locations, too. A typical computer memory now has millions of memory locations!