RAM, which refers to Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media that may be accessed noticeably faster than a hard disk drive, due to the fact that the information can be read randomly, skipping the bytes before the needed information is reached. On a hosting server, the RAM is employed to load scripts and web applications after they are executed, so the more RAM you may use, the more programs you'll be able to run all at once and the more people shall be able to browse your Internet sites without effect on the site’s/server’s functionality. Different from a disk drive, however, the RAM is used for short-term storage purposes, since the information is lost when the power is shut off. When you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory your scripts could use may be limited and can change according to what the other customers on the same machine use. Using a virtual or a dedicated hosting server, however, you will have a set amount of RAM that will not be used by anyone else even when you do not use it at a certain time.