RAM, which is short for Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media which may be accessed considerably faster than a hard disk, simply because the info can be read randomly, skipping the bytes before the needed info is reached. On a hosting server, the RAM is used to load scripts and web programs once they are executed, so the more RAM you may use, the more applications you'll be able to run concurrently and the more people will be able to browse your Internet sites with no effect on the site’s/server’s overall performance. Unlike a disk drive, however, the RAM is employed for temporary storage purposes, as the data is lost when the power is shut off. In case you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory your scripts can use may be limited and might change based on what the some other clients on the same server use. Through a virtual or a dedicated server, on the other hand, you shall have a set amount of RAM which will not be used by others even when you don't use it at a certain time.