What is the primary characteristic of RAM?

The primary characteristic of RAM (Random Access Memory) is that it is volatile memory. This means that the data stored in RAM is temporary and will be lost when the power is turned off or when the system is restarted. RAM is designed to provide quick read and write access to a storage medium, allowing the CPU to access data and instructions that are actively being used by the system.

In contrast, permanent storage options like hard drives or SSDs retain data even when the power is off, which is characteristic of non-volatile memory. Read-only memory (ROM) is not designed for writing data; instead, it is used to store firmware. Therefore, the unique and defining feature of RAM is its volatility, which allows for fast data processing but necessitates a constant power supply to retain the information stored within it.