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It enables users to access data that is stored for a short time. Memory is also where information is processed. Memory is most often referred to as the primary storage on a computer, such as RAM. Memory refers to the location of short-term data, while storage refers to the location of data stored on a long-term basis. Put succinctly, memory is primary memory, while storage is secondary memory. The concept of memory and storage can be easily conflated as the same concept however, there are some distinct and important differences. This image shows how primary, secondary and cache memory relate to each other in terms of size and speed.
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In general, the more memory (primary memory) a computing device has, the less frequently the computer must access instructions and data from slower (secondary) forms of storage. If a computer's central processer ( CPU) had to only use a secondary storage device, computers would become much slower. This type of memory is located on microchips that are physically close to a computer's microprocessor. The term memory is used as a synonym for primary memory or as an abbreviation for a specific type of primary memory called random access memory ( RAM). There are technically two types of computer memory: primary and secondary. Memory is also used by a computer's operating system, hardware and software. Memory is one of the basic functions of a computer, because without it, a computer would not be able to function properly. It's where information is stored for immediate use. Memory is the electronic holding place for the instructions and data a computer needs to reach quickly.