RAM, that is short for Random Access Memory, is a computer storage media which could be accessed much more quickly than a disk drive, due to the fact that the information 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 once they are executed, so the more RAM you are able to use, the more programs you shall be able to run simultaneously and the more people will be able to surf your websites without any effect on the site’s/server’s performance. Different from a disk drive, however, the RAM is used for temporary storage purposes, due to the fact that the info is lost as soon as the power is shut off. When you use a shared web hosting account, the physical memory that your scripts are able to use may be limited and could change depending on what the other customers on the same hosting server use. Using a virtual or a dedicated hosting server, however, you shall have a fixed amount of RAM that won't be used by others even if you do not use it at a particular time.