Random Access Memory Modelling in Verilog

Question

Is there a better/alternative way of modelling RAM Memory in Verilog other than declaring it as an array of registers? Most of the sources I referred to have memories coded in the following manner.

output reg [WIDTH-1:0] word_out; 
input [WIDTH-1:0] word_in, cpu_addr;
input reset, we, clk;
reg [WIDTH-1:0] chip [0:DEPTH-1];

always @ (posedge clk)
begin
  if (!reset)
    begin
      if (we)
        begin
          chip[word_addr] <= word_in;
          word_out <= word_in;
        end

      else
        word_out <= chip[word_addr];
      end
    end

Is there an alternative to this, probably using flipflops or something?

Answer 1

I believe you are aware that there are different types of modelling systems in HDLs:
1) Behavioral modelling - describing the behaviour of the system like a computer program
2) Structural modelling - interconnecting primitive and complex components by signals
3) Mixed - combining (1) and (2)

If you are more into behavioral - use the array representation. It is a best abstraction for "program-like" paradigm.
If you like more interconnecting existing components - you can model yourself, download or use a RAM from some standard library, that will be represented as a component with inputs and outputs for you.