material information bearer random access memory Alejandra Gonzalez-Beltran Philippe Rocca-Serra RAM Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access device allows stored data to be accessed directly in any random order. In contrast, other data storage media such as hard disks, CDs, DVDs and magnetic tape, as well as early primary memory types such as drum memory, read and write data only in a predetermined order, consecutively, because of mechanical design limitations. Therefore, the time to access a given data location varies significantly depending on its physical location http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAM last accessed: 2013-12-02 random access memory pending final vetting