ROMs, RAMs, Reading and Writing

Abstract

A memory location is used to store binary digits. The CPU might be processing some text, for example, and will need to store the binary codes for each letter or punctuation mark in a memory location. These codes are said to be written into the memory locations. A write operation, under the control of the CPU, carries out this task. Later in the program there will be a need to transfer the data from memory, maybe to a printer or screen, which will result in the conversion of the codes back into letters or punctuation marks. In this case, the memory locations will be read by the CPU and then written into the output area for subsequent reading by the printer or VDU.