Random Access Memory (RAM)

1. Store data and instructions that are used by the CPU to perform some task.
• These instructions are usually loaded into RAM from a secondary storage device.
• RAM is also used to store instructions that tell the CPU how to work with its parts.  These instructions are usually called drivers.
2. The instructions in RAM are constantly changing, depending on the needs of the CPU.
3. The instructions in RAM are volatile.
• When the computer is turned off the information in RAM disappears.
• The information in RAM needs to be saved to secondary storage before the computer is turned off.
4. Access to information is random access.