Which type of memory is considered primary storage?

Primary storage refers to the type of memory that is directly accessible by the CPU and is used to store data that is actively being used or processed. RAM (Random Access Memory) is classified as primary storage because it provides the necessary space for the operating system, applications, and data currently in use by the computer.

RAM allows for quick read and write operations, making it essential for the overall performance of the computer while performing tasks. It is volatile memory, meaning that it loses its contents when the power is turned off, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring that applications run efficiently during operation.

In contrast, ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile and is typically used to store firmware, which doesn’t change frequently. Cache is a smaller, faster type of volatile memory that serves as a temporary storage area for frequently accessed data to speed up processing, whereas Flash memory, commonly used for storage devices like SSDs and USB drives, is non-volatile and considered secondary storage. Each of these plays an important role in computing, but RAM's capacity for fast and temporary data access makes it the primary form of storage directly utilized by the CPU during operations.