Given the fact that Flash memory is an unavoidable part of our lives and that in the last ten years the popularity of using this type of memory has grown significantly, it is time to say a little more about what Flash memory is, when it is first mentioned and used, what all types of flash memory exist and what the future of Flash memory is. So if you are interested in something more about Flash memory – this article is made for you.
A brief history and explanation of what Flash memory is
Flash memory is a type of data storage within which it is possible to store data in such a way that this data remains memorized even when the device containing the Flash memory is turned off. This actually means that you can record whatever you want on any type of Flash memory (such as a microSD card) and you can be sure that it will remain recorded on the media until you delete it (or until it is erased in case errors or malfunctions).
Although the idea of this type of storage originated we can now say “a long time ago”, in the beginning of the 80's surprisingly Flash memory became popular in the early two thousand, while in the last ten years Flash memory began to be used and produced very often.
First of all, the reason for this is that in the last ten years, technology that relies much more on Flash memory has advanced significantly. Mobile phones, computers (laptops and desktops), cameras, and especially devices such as tablets and smartphones have led to mass demand and then the production of Flash memory. MicroSD cards have become very popular, because with the internal memory of 16,32 or 64 GB as smartphones usually come by default (minus a few gigabytes of “waste” on the operating system and the constant need to upgrade applications and systems) is not enough for everything the user needs.
Why the need for Flash memory?
Why Flash memory at all? Why is this form and way of storing data so important?
Flash memory is a way of storing data, and it is a longer-term way of storing data than storing data in the computer's working memory. However, the two forms of data storage that I will briefly describe below, were the main reason for increasing need of Flash memory.
RAM and ROM are two types of memory that have led to the creation of Flash memory. ROM or “Read Only Memory” is a way of storing data on a computer disk. Since there are two types of disks on computers today – a hard disk and an SSD (or “Solid State Drive”), ROM storage involves storing data on either of these two types of disks.
ROM vs RAM
The main difference between ROM and RAM (or “Random Access Memory”) is that data is stored on RAM as long as the computer (or other device that uses RAM) is turned on. When we turn off the computer, everything that was recorded or stored on RAM is erased, while everything that was recorded on ROM remains on that media.
The thing about computers, and then at all other devices that use data storage, is that they use both RAM and ROM storage, however, the problem with these devices is that access to this data, regardless of whether the device is turned on or not, can only be achieved when the device is turned on. For this reason, the need for Flash memory arose. There was an urgent need to devise some way of storing data so that the user could always access that data.
The main groups of Flash memory and division into types
Flash memory is divided into two major groups: NAND and NOR Flash memory. NAND Flash memory was designed by Toshiba in 1989. The main features of this group of Flash memory is the higher density of memory cells, which ultimately allowed for much higher data storage capacity and much higher speed for writing and deleting data.
NOR memory was designed by Intel a year earlier. The most important reason why Intel designed NOR memory is that the company wanted to somehow find an adequate replacement for ROM memory. What is very good about NOR memory is that this memory is extremely efficient in terms of data loading speed if the storage capacity is between 1 and 4 MB. The disadvantages are the poor speed of writing and erasing data from such media (an example of NOR memory is the so-called “Floppy “disk).
After Flash memory began to be increasingly implemented in the life of computer users, some problems began to appear. Flash memory, like any other computer component, was highly dependent on its lifespan. The lifetime depended on how many erase and write cycles the Flash media supported. In the beginning it was up to a few hundred, while today this age has been greatly increased.
What types of Flash memory do we know today?
Today, users of computer gadgets and equipment have several types of Flash memory available. Although some types of Flesh memory are used more often and some less frequently, they should all be listed.
Memory card
The memory card has changed considerably from its initial shape to the present day. The first time memory cards were used more frequently in computers and other devices was in the early 1990s, when memory cards, in a different form than today, began to be used on computers, game consoles and digital cameras.
The shape of the memory card changed in 2001, and since that year memory cards as we know them today have been used. The main features of the memory card are small size, at that time quite a lot of storage space and the ability to apply to multiple types of computer devices.
USB Flash drive
USB sticks, although of humble beginnings, quickly won a huge number of users, which is still the case today. Small in size, with a large storage capacity (up to 2 TB today), the USB stick has become and remains more than a successful replacement for Floppy diskettes. How much the USB stick is still used today is shown by the fact that it is still produced and sold in huge quantities.
SSD
SSD or “Solid State Drive” is also a type of Flash memory, namely the next generation of Flash memory, which according to some predictions in the next few years should completely “eject out of the game” hard drives. Although SSDs are still much more expensive compared to hard drives (although their price is still lower compared to last year), their high price is not without reason.
The main reasons why SSDs are very expensive are: the absence of moving parts (such as a needle that is present on hard drives, which greatly reduces the possibility of mechanical damage), small size, reduced energy consumption, much lower heating. All this makes SSDs an ideal piece of hardware for all “heavy duty” demanding computer activities.
No matter what “type” of Flash memory it is, it's almost certain that you've encountered some of these types at least once. As the popularity of Flash memory grows from year to year, it is believed that it will grow even more as time goes on and that with time an SSD will only show the true capabilities of Flash memory. Learn more.
