Which type of memory is primarily used for immediate processing in a computer?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is primarily used for immediate processing in a computer because it serves as the main memory that the CPU accesses to read and write data during active tasks. RAM is a type of volatile memory, which means that it loses its content when the power is turned off, making it ideal for temporary storage of data that is actively being used and processed by the computer.

In contrast, other types of memory serve different purposes. For instance, ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile and typically used to store firmware and system-level instructions that do not change frequently. The hard drive provides long-term storage for data and programs but is not suitable for immediate processing due to slower access speeds. Cache memory, while indeed very fast and used to store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval by the CPU, is not used in the same capacity as RAM for general immediate processing tasks, as it functions as a smaller, faster subset of memory that cooperates with RAM to enhance performance.