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by -Ben 10- on January 28th, 2007

-Ben 10-

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What is the difference between RAM and ROM

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Answers. 36 helpful answers below.

  • by Ephraim on January 5th, 2008

    Ephraim

    RAM is Random Access Memory. It is a volatile type of memory that needs electricity to flow to retain information. It is the type of memory that computers use to process programs.

    ROM is Read Only Memory. Essentially it is a piece of permanently written information stored as memory. There are versions of this memory that can be rewritten but it is then called EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and generally takes ultraviolet light to clear.

    The easiest way to understand the difference is to think of this as a blackboard. When memory is being used as RAM, it's a blackboard that is constantly being rewritten and then washed and rewritten, thousands of times per minute. If it was ROM, the writing would be in acrylic paint, that can't be removed. EPROM would be the same paint but it can be removed by very special and specific means.

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  • by scubabob on January 28th, 2007

    scubabob

    Ram stands for Random Access Memory. It allows data to both be written and accessed on the chip in any order placed on it.
    ROM stands for Read Only Memory. As the name suggests, you can only get data from it (read). You normally can't write to it. A PC's bios is a good example.

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  • by Greekgod on March 9th, 2008

    Greekgod

    Random access memory and read only memory

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  • by Hellaphunt's Skynet on October 7th, 2007

    Hellaphunt's Skynet

    RAM is Random Access Memory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAM

    ROM is Read Only Memory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory

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  • by Brian I on October 8th, 2007

    Brian I

    RAM is random access memory, it is lost when the computer is switched off.
    ROM is read only memory and it is permanent. The most obvious example is the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) which is a tiny permanent program that runs when you turn on your computer and it prepares disk drives and processor to load the operating system from disk.

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  • by minmin2003 on January 28th, 2007

    minmin2003

    Read-only memory (ROM), also known as firmware, is an integrated circuit programmed with specific data when it is manufactured. ROM chips are used not only in computers, but in most other electronic items as well.

    RAM ( Random access memory is used by your computer and the data held on it changes frequently the more Ram you have, the easier it will be on your CPU when you are running a few programmes at the same time.

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  • by james123 on June 29th, 2009

    james123

    RAM (Random access memory) is storage that your computer can both create and read. ROM (Read-only memory) is storage (usually on discs and CDs) that your computer can ONLY read. It cannot change the information it reads. The amount of RAM your computer has really determines how many programs of functions you can be running at once. I read a good example somewhere online... RAM is like a field, programs and functions will take up space in that field. Once space runs out, you cannot run anymore than that. But, once a program is taken out, its spot is open again for another program to use. But not to worry, many computer have enough RAM to compensate for their programs. You can check RAM space (total, free, and used) in system information, located under the start menu (programs>accessories>system information). Now, to ROM. ROM, such as a CD, can only be read by your computer. Your computer cannot change the data that its reading off the CD. Thats basically ROM..."read-only" memory.

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  • by peterpam on March 9th, 2008

    peterpam

    A & O

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  • by Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector on March 4th, 2008

    Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector

    RAM memory can and does change, it can be written over. ROM is 'set'. That is it is written once and then unchanged under normal use.

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  • by dedee2 on October 7th, 2007

    dedee2

    Ram and Rom are same = memory one is read-only memory and buffer store

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  • by anglrckx on May 29th, 2007

    anglrckx

    read only memory is non volatile, while random access memory is volatile, which means it loses everything without power on.

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  • by Bramblepath on June 10th, 2008

    Bramblepath

    RAM is Random Access Memory. It is a temporary state memory that your comouter uses to run programs. All the information in your RAM is deleted when your computer is turned off.
    ROM is read-only memory. If you ever wondered why CD ROMs are called CD ROMs, it is because you cannot edit the data on the CD.

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  • by Darth Continent on May 19th, 2009

    Darth Continent

    ROM = Read Only Memory
    RAM = Random Access Memory

    ROM you write to once and read many times. RAM you both read and write to.

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  • by Anonymous on April 6th, 2009

    Anonymous

    (i)RAM MEANS RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY.
    (ii)WHEN POWER ON CPU,RAM MEMORY PRESENT OR TEMPORARY
    STORAGE AND BOTH READ & WRITE OPERATIONS DONE
    (iii)128 words for eight bits & eight bits data bus

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  • by Anonymous on August 27th, 2009

    Anonymous

    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAGNETIC BASE AND OPTICAL BASE STORAGE DEVICE.

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  • by Anonymous on August 27th, 2009

    Anonymous

    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPILER AND ENTERPRETER.

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  • by greensceptic on October 9th, 2009

    greensceptic

    O

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  • by ComputingFreak on October 9th, 2009

    ComputingFreak

    My answer is:
    R.A.M means Random Access Memory, this allows you to temporary store data, all data will be lost unless it is saved to youor hard disk(drive).
    R.O.M means Read Only Memory, this allows you acces data that has been permanently stored on a storage device such as a finalized disk.

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  • by akiiiiiiiii on November 17th, 2009

    akiiiiiiiii

    ram is random acces mamory where the data or the information is lost when the computer is swiched off
    that is temprary.but ROM is read only mamory as its name suggest it is permanant cannot be removed .
    THANKS.................................................

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  • by VSPrasad on March 10th, 2008

    VSPrasad

    RAM - (Previously "direct-access memory"). A data storage device for which the order of access to different locations does not affect the speed of access. This is in contrast to, say, a magnetic disk, magnetic tape or a mercury delay line where it is very much quicker to access data sequentially because accessing a non-sequential location requires physical movement of the storage medium rather than just electronic switching.

    In the 1970s magnetic core memory was used and some old-timers still call RAM "core". The most common form of RAM in use today is semiconductor integrated circuits, which can be either static random-access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).

    The term "RAM" has gained the additional meaning of read-write. Most kinds of semiconductor read-only memory (ROM) are actually "random access" in the above sense but are never referred to as RAM. Furthermore, memory referred to as RAM can usually be read and written equally quickly (approximately), in contrast to the various kinds of programmable read-only memory. Finally, RAM is usually volatile though non-volatile random-access memory is also used.

    http://foldoc.org/?RAM

    ROM - A type of data storage device which is manufactured with fixed contents. In its most general sense, the term might be used for any storage system whose contents cannot be altered, such as a gramophone record or a printed book; however, the term is most often applied to semiconductor integrated circuit memories, of which there are several types, and CD-ROM.

    ROM is inherently non-volatile storage - it retains its contents even when the power is switched off, in contrast to RAM.

    ROM is often used to hold programs for embedded systems since these usually have a fixed purpose. ROM is also used for storage of the lowest level bootstrap software (firmware) in a computer.

    http://foldoc.org/?query=ROM

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  • by hookturn on March 30th, 2008

    hookturn

    A male sheep
    A battering ram
    The weight that drops in a pile driver
    Random Access Memory

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  • by Karl Plesz on January 28th, 2007

    Karl Plesz

    I would just like to add to scubabob's fabulous answer that ROM holds its data even after the power is turned off. RAM does not - turn the power off and the data is gone.

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  • by theredbaron on May 29th, 2007

    theredbaron

    RAM = random access memory
    ROM = read only memory

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  • by supplanter on April 17th, 2011

    supplanter

    RAM(random access memory) is the temporary holding area for data ,application program instructions and operation system
    ROM(ready only memory) is memory circuitry that hold computer's start up routine,is permanent and hold hand wired instruction that are permanent and remain in place even when the power is off.

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  • by Venkatesh_V5851 on February 14th, 2011

    Venkatesh_V5851

    RAM : Random access memory. Memory is lost during power off.
    ROM : Read only memory. Memory remain irrespective of power on or off state but is editable by Firmwares

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  • by karlasim123 on November 30th, 2010

    karlasim123

    ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) are both vital components to any fast and productive computer. However, contrary to what many believe, the two have almost nothing in common. Here are just a few of the differences between RAM and ROM.

    RAM is...
    RAM is Random Access Memory. This is reusable memory that the computer uses to run programs.

    ROM is...
    ROM is Read Only Memory. This is memory that has data permanently written on it and is usually not reusable.

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  • by Muhammad_S4685 on February 10th, 2011

    Muhammad_S4685

    1.
    RAM:
    Random Access Memory or Read/Write Memory.

    ROM:
    Read Only Memory.

    2.
    RAM:
    Temporary In Nature or Volatile in Nature.

    ROM:
    Permanent in Nature or non-Volatile in Nature.

    3.
    RAM:
    Contains or Stores data till system is turned off.

    ROM:
    If system turned off, the data will be not lost until manually deleted.

    4.
    RAM:
    High speed.

    ROM:
    Slow speed.

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  • by bytechaser on May 29th, 2007

    bytechaser

    Ram gets erased if there is no power to it, rom does not need a constant power source.

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  • by Oddjob on November 1st, 2007

    Oddjob

    RAM = Random Access Memory it is volatile meaning when the power is cut then it gets a "memory wipe" in other words loses all information.
    -
    ROM = Read Only Memory is nonvolatile and has stuff "flashed or burned" on it so its permanent even with power off.

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  • by Anonymous on March 9th, 2008

    Anonymous

    Try using the search function, this question gets asked almost daily.

    http://www.answerbag.com/search?search=RAM+ROM

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  • by RN.HAPPY on April 26th, 2010

    RN.HAPPY

    RAM is temporary storage that is used by processor to store programs and their associated data while they are running.RAM is volatile which means it losts its content when the machine is switched off.
    ROM is nonvolatile and it used for certain functions e.g it stores computer system's BIOS(Basic input/output System) and store instructions that are required to carried out when the computer is first switched on.e.g.POST(Power on self test)

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  • by Anonymous on March 9th, 2008

    Anonymous

    RAM is Randomly Accessible Memory. It is used for the operation of programs. It can be written to and read from but when the power shuts off it looses it's data.

    ROM is Read Only Memory. It's permanent, usually holds a piece of software needed for computer functionality. It will hold it's data when the computer is off.

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  • by Abdul Qader on March 4th, 2008

    Abdul Qader

    wahat is ram an rom ?

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  • by Anonymous on November 1st, 2007

    Anonymous

    RAM stands for Random Access Memory.It will allow information to both be written and reached on the chip in a random order.


    ROM stands for Read Only Memory.As it's name suggests, you can only get data from it by reading.Sometimes you can't write to it.A computer bios is a very excellent example.

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  • by VSPrasad on January 6th, 2008

    VSPrasad

    RAM:

    (Previously "direct-access memory"). A data storage device for which the order of access to different locations does not affect the speed of access. This is in contrast to, say, a magnetic disk, magnetic tape or a mercury delay line where it is very much quicker to access data sequentially because accessing a non-sequential location requires physical movement of the storage medium rather than just electronic switching.

    In the 1970s magnetic core memory was used and some old-timers still call RAM "core". The most common form of RAM in use today is semiconductor integrated circuits, which can be either static random-access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).

    The term "RAM" has gained the additional meaning of read-write. Most kinds of semiconductor read-only memory (ROM) are actually "random access" in the above sense but are never referred to as RAM. Furthermore, memory referred to as RAM can usually be read and written equally quickly (approximately), in contrast to the various kinds of programmable read-only memory. Finally, RAM is usually volatile though non-volatile random-access memory is also used.

    Interestingly, some DRAM devices are not truly random access because various kinds of "page mode" or "column mode" mean that sequential access is faster than random access.

    The humorous expansion "Rarely Adequate Memory" refers to the fact that programs and data always seem to expand to fill the memory available.

    Hardware inside your computer that retains memory on a short-term basis and stores information while you work. RAM is one of the things that make your computer run faster. It comes in 32-bit, 64-bit, 128-bit, 256-bit, and higher, and you can add additional "blocks" of RAM, depending on your computer.

    Slang usage of this term often describes someone who does not possess the mental capacities required for the task at hand, as in, "I wouldn't ask him to do it, he's a little short on RAM." Actual RAM comes in a variety of forms: DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory): A memory chip contained on such devices as video and sound cards.

    ROM:

    A type of data storage device which is manufactured with fixed contents. In its most general sense, the term might be used for any storage system whose contents cannot be altered, such as a gramophone record or a printed book; however, the term is most often applied to semiconductor integrated circuit memories, of which there are several types, and CD-ROM.

    ROM is inherently non-volatile storage - it retains its contents even when the power is switched off, in contrast to RAM.

    ROM is often used to hold programs for embedded systems since these usually have a fixed purpose. ROM is also used for storage of the lowest level bootstrap software (firmware) in a computer.

    Built-in computer memory that can be read but not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to boot up each time you turn it on, and it contains essential system programs that neither you or the computer can erase. Unlike a computer's random access memory (RAM), ROM does not lose its data when the computer power is turned off. It is sustained by a small, long-life battery. (If you ever run the hardware setup procedure on your computer, you are in effect writing to ROM.)

    ROM can also refer to Rough Order of Magnitude, referring to the amount of time it takes to accomplish a given task.

    The BIOS of a mother board is made of ROM.

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  • by Alex on March 30th, 2008

    Alex

    R-andom
    A-ccess
    M-emory

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