Foundations Module 02

CPU and Cache

Why some memory feels instant, some feels slow, and why data placement matters

Learning Contract

Memory access is not slow.

Distance is slow.

This module will explain:

  • Why CPU is fast but memory is far
  • Why cache exists
  • Why locality matters more than Big-O
  • Why arrays beat linked lists in real life

No Big-O symbols here. Let intuition form before math.