14
User's
Handbook to the Atari
400
/
800
Computers
kilobytes
or
K.
1 K
is
the equivalent
of
1024
bytes. Your Atari may
contain
from
18 to
60K
of
memory
(or 18,432 to 61,440 bytes).
Computer
memory
can be
one
of
two
different
types;
ROM
or
RAM
.
ROM
stands
for
read-only memory.
ROM
will
hold
the
data stored in it permanently. If the
power
to the Atari
is
shut
off,
the
information
stored in
ROM
will remain there.
ROM
contains
the
programs that are used to operate the Atari, and
allow
it
to
interact
with
the
user.
RAM
stands
for
random-access
memory*
. The data stored in
RAM
can
be
changed.
Applications
programs
are
often
transferred
from
diskettes
or
cassette to
RAM
. Any data stored in
RAM
is
lost
when
the Atari's
power
is
turned
off.
The Atari
400
includes
16K
of
RAM
. Generally,
it
is
not
advisable
to
attempt
to expand the
RAM
capacity
of
an
Atari
400.
The Atari
800
allows
RAM
to
be expanded
from
16K to
as
much
as
48K.
RAM
is
expanded on the Atari
800
by inserting
additional
RAM
plug-in
modules
underneath
the
unit
's
top
cover.
Expanding
the
Atari
's
RAM
is
explained in
more
detail in
Chapter
2.
Atari
410
Program Recorder
Cassette tape can be used
to
store programs in
RAM
and then
transfer these programs back
into
RAM
at some later date. The
Atari
410
Program Recorder
(as
shown in Illustration 1-5)
is
designed
for
use
with
the Atari
computer
.
Approximate
ly
SDK
or
51
,
200
bytes
of
data can be stored on a
30
minute
cassette.
*Random
access
memory
is a somewhat misleading term to
describe,
RAM,
as
most
memory
(including
ROM),
is
randomly
accessed.
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