minnesdelen

Minnesdelen is a term used in Swedish-language technical and scientific writing to denote a discrete component responsible for memory storage or processing within a system. The term is generic and can refer to either material hardware components or abstract cognitive subsystems, depending on context. In practice, it is used to indicate a unit with defined capacity, access characteristics, and interfaces to other parts of the system.

In computing, minnesdelen commonly describes memory modules such as RAM, cache, or other storage elements that provide temporary or fast access to data. A minnesdel has properties including capacity, memory type (volatile vs non-volatile), data width, speed, latency, and power consumption. It operates within a memory hierarchy and interacts with a central processing unit or controller to serve read and write requests.

In cognitive science or psychology, minnesdelen is used as a metaphor for a memory subsystem, such as working memory or episodic/semantic memory components. It refers to how information is encoded, maintained, and retrieved, and to the processes that support consolidation, interference, and forgetting. The term emphasizes modular views of memory, where distinct parts handle encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Variations in usage reflect the dual nature of the concept: physical memory elements in machines versus functional memory subsystems in humans or models. The word derives from minne 'memory' and delen 'part' in Swedish, and typical definitions rely on accompanying specification to avoid ambiguity.