RAM, which is short for Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media that may be accessed much quicker than a hard disk, because the information can be read randomly, skipping the bytes before the needed information is reached. On a web server, the RAM is used to load scripts and web apps once they are executed, so the more RAM you can use, the more applications you will be able to run all at once and the more people shall be able to surf your sites without any effect on the site’s/server’s general performance. Different from a disk drive, however, the RAM is employed for temporary storage purposes, due to the fact that the info is lost as soon as the power is shut off. If you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory your scripts are able to use may be limited and may change depending on what the other customers on the same web server use. With a virtual or a dedicated server, on the other hand, you will have a set amount of RAM which will not be used by others even if you don't use it at a certain time.