Random access memory

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Ram (disambiguation) - Hindu - God - Rama

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Random access memory (sometimes random-access memory), commonly known by its acronym RAM, is a type of computer storage whose contents can be accessed in any (i.e., random) order. This is in contrast to sequential memory devices such as magnetic tapes, discs and drums, in which the mechanical movement of the storage medium forces the computer to access data in a fixed order.

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Computer storage - Magnetic tape

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It is usually implied that RAM can be both written to and read from, in contrast to read-only memory (ROM). RAM is typically used for primary storage (main memory) in computers to hold actively used and actively changing information, although some devices use certain types of RAM to provide long-term secondary storage.

Related Topics:
Read-only memory (ROM) - Primary storage - Secondary storage

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