RAM, which is short for Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media that may be accessed considerably faster than a hard drive, as the data can be read randomly, skipping the bytes before the needed information is reached. On a web server, the RAM is employed to load scripts and web apps after they are executed, so the more RAM you are able to use, the more programs you'll be able to run all at once and the more people will be able to check out your Internet sites with no effect on the site’s/server’s general performance. Different from a disk drive, however, the RAM is used for short-term storage purposes, since the information is lost the moment the power is shut off. When you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory that your scripts may use may be limited and can change based upon what the some other clients on the same hosting server use. Through a virtual or a dedicated hosting server, alternatively, you shall have a guaranteed amount of RAM which will not be used by others even if you don't use it at a certain time.