RAM, which means Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media which is accessed considerably faster than a hard drive, due to the fact that the information 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 applications once they are executed, so the more RAM you may use, the more apps you shall be able to run at the same time and the more people will be able to look through your sites with no effect on the site’s/server’s performance. Unlike a disk drive, however, the RAM is used for temporary storage purposes, as the information is lost once 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 can change according to what the some other clients on the same hosting server use. Through a virtual or a dedicated hosting server, on the other hand, you shall have a guaranteed amount of RAM which won't be used by others even when you do not use it at a particular time.