DEV Community

Discussion on: Explain "memory" like I'm five

Collapse
 
angelarae63 profile image
Angela Whisnant

RAM (random access memory) is digital memory. Now measured in gigs and terabytes, it can load and retrieve data much faster than an HDD, which is mechanical. That’s why, on startup, computers load parts of the OS or any programs you specify into RAM for quick retrieval. Generally, when techs talk about computer memory, they mean RAM.