Which of the following(s) are main memory?

(A) Virtual memory

(B) Cache memory

(C) RAM

(D) SSD

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UGC NET Computer Science (Paper 2) 07 Dec 2023 Official Paper

Answer 1

The correct answer is (B) and (C) Only

Key Points

(B) Cache Memory:
- Cache memory is a type of computer memory that is very fast compared to regular RAM and is situated on the processor chip.
- After the processor reads from the main memory for the first time, it stores a copy of the data in the cache. If the same data is needed again, it can be rapidly accessed from the cache. This improves the performance and speed of the computer.
(C) RAM (Random Access Memory):
- RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes.
- RAM serves as the computer's "working" memory. It provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU (central processing unit). When you shut your computer off, everything stored in RAM is lost.

Additional Information

(A) Virtual Memory:
- Virtual memory is a memory management capability of an operating system (OS) that uses hardware and software to allow a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from random access memory (RAM) to disk storage. This process is done automatically and is completely transparent to the user.
(D) SSD (Solid State Drive):
- An SSD is a type of mass storage device, not a type of RAM. This non-volatile storage medium uses solid-state memory to store data persistently.
- It has no moving parts, as data in an SSD is stored in microchips. This differs from the traditional hard drive, which has a motor and moving head, making it slower than an SSD.
- SSDs are used for secondary storage, long-term storage, or for holding data when the system is powered off. They are not part of the main memory system.