volatile memory
Power-dependent data storage
Volatile memory is computer memory that loses its contents when power is removed.
RAM is the most common type—everything stored there vanishes when you shut down or lose power, unlike data saved to a hard drive or SSD.
The term distinguishes temporary working memory from permanent storage: I lost my work because it was only in volatile memory when the power went out.
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
- electrical currentFlow of charged particles
- registersRecords officially
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- data retentionMaintaining saved information
cache · computer hardware · DDR · paging · power consumption · access time · SRAM · latency · buffering · refresh rate · power supply · power loss · data loss · system crash · byte · CPU · motherboard · swapping
- memory managementbuffer, free, heap, stack, allocation
- memoryforget, recall, recollect, retain, forgetfulness
volatile memoryflash memory
Erasable non-volatile semiconductor storage
ROM · solid-state drive · SSD · hard drive · NVRAM
volatile, memory, volatility, volatilize, volatilization, memorial, memorize, memorization, memorable