RAM, which is short for Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media that is accessed much quicker than a hard disk drive, because the information can be read randomly, skipping the bytes before the needed information is reached. On a server, the RAM is used to load scripts and web programs when they are executed, so the more RAM you are able to use, the more apps you will be able to run at the same time and the more people shall be able to surf your sites without effect on the site’s/server’s performance. Unlike a disk drive, however, the RAM is employed for short-term storage purposes, because the data is lost the moment the power is shut off. When you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory that your scripts can use may be limited and might change depending on what the other customers on the same server use. Through a virtual or a dedicated hosting server, alternatively, you will have a set amount of RAM that won't be used by anybody else even if you don't use it at a given time.
