Difference between main memory and secondary storage:

Main Memory Secondary storage
In Main memory or Random Access Memory (RAM), the data is directly accessed by the processing unit. In secondary storage, the data is transferred to the main memory and then routed to the processing unit.
Main memory is volatile, which means the information stored in the memory would be erased when the computer is turned off. Secondary storage is non-volatile, which means the information stored in the memory is not erased when the computer is turned off.
Main memory has a limited storage capacity. Secondary storage can store bulk amount of data in a single unit.
Main memory devices are more expensive when compared to the secondary storage devices. Secondary storage devices are less expensive when compared to the main memory devices.

The examples of main memory are,

RAM

ROM

EPROM

PROM

Cache memory

Registers.

The examples of secondary storage are,

Floppy Disks

Magnetic tapes

Optical Disc

Flash memory.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Chapter 1.7, Problem 1.33CP

Chapter 1, Problem 2RQE

Students have asked these similar questions

Pllleasassseee ssiiirrrr soolveee thissssss questionnnnnnn

Chapter 1 Solutions

Starting Out with C++ from Control Structures to Objects, Student Value Edition plus MyProgrammingLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package (8th Edition)

Ch. 1.2 - Why is the computer used by so many different...Ch. 1.2 - List the five major hardware components of a...Ch. 1.2 - Internally, the CPU consists of what two units?Ch. 1.2 - Prob. 1.4CP Ch. 1.2 - Prob. 1.5CP Ch. 1.2 - Prob. 1.6CP Ch. 1.2 - Prob. 1.7CP Ch. 1.2 - Prob. 1.8CP Ch. 1.2 - What do you call a program that performs a...Ch. 1.2 - Word processing programs, spreadsheet programs,...

Ch. 1.3 - What is an algorithm?Ch. 1.3 - Why were computer programming languages invented?Ch. 1.3 - Prob. 1.13CP Ch. 1.3 - Prob. 1.14CP Ch. 1.3 - Prob. 1.15CP Ch. 1.3 - Prob. 1.16CP Ch. 1.3 - Prob. 1.17CP Ch. 1.5 - Prob. 1.18CP Ch. 1.5 - Prob. 1.19CP Ch. 1.5 - Describe the difference between a program line and...Ch. 1.5 - Prob. 1.21CP Ch. 1.5 - What happens to a variables current contents when...Ch. 1.5 - What must take place in a program before a...Ch. 1.5 - Prob. 1.24CP Ch. 1.7 - What four items should you identify when defining...Ch. 1.7 - Prob. 1.26CP Ch. 1.7 - What is a hierarchy chart?Ch. 1.7 - Prob. 1.28CP Ch. 1.7 - Describe what a compiler does with a programs...Ch. 1.7 - Prob. 1.30CP Ch. 1.7 - Is a syntax error (such as misspelling a key word)...Ch. 1.7 - What is the purpose of testing a program with...Ch. 1.7 - Briefly describe the difference between procedural...Ch. 1 - Prob. 1RQE Ch. 1 - What is the difference between system software and...Ch. 1 - Prob. 3RQE Ch. 1 - Why must programs written in a high-level language...Ch. 1 - Why is it easier to write a program in a...Ch. 1 - Prob. 6RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 7RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 8RQE Ch. 1 - The job of the ________ is to fetch instructions,...Ch. 1 - Internally, the CPU consists of the _______ and...Ch. 1 - Prob. 11RQE Ch. 1 - The two general categories of software are...Ch. 1 - A program is a set of _______.Ch. 1 - Prob. 14RQE Ch. 1 - _______ is the only language computers really...Ch. 1 - __________ languages are close to the level of...Ch. 1 - ________ languages are close to the level of the...Ch. 1 - Prob. 18RQE Ch. 1 - Words that have special meaning in a programming...Ch. 1 - Prob. 20RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 21RQE Ch. 1 - __________ characters or symbols mark thebeginning...Ch. 1 - Prob. 23RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 24RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 25RQE Ch. 1 - Prob. 26RQE Ch. 1 - __________ is information a program gathers from...Ch. 1 - __________is information a program sends to the...Ch. 1 - Prob. 29RQE Ch. 1 - Available Credit The following steps should be...Ch. 1 - Sales Tax Design a hierarchy chart or flowchart...Ch. 1 - Account Balance Design a hierarchy chart or...Ch. 1 - The variable x starts with the value 0. The...Ch. 1 - The variable j starts with the value 10. The...Ch. 1 - The variable a starts with the value 1. The...Ch. 1 - Find the Error 36. The following pseudocode...

Knowledge Booster

Learn more about

Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, computer-science and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.

Main Memory	Secondary storage
In Main memory or Random Access Memory (RAM), the data is directly accessed by the processing unit.	In secondary storage, the data is transferred to the main memory and then routed to the processing unit.
Main memory is volatile, which means the information stored in the memory would be erased when the computer is turned off.	Secondary storage is non-volatile, which means the information stored in the memory is not erased when the computer is turned off.
Main memory has a limited storage capacity.	Secondary storage can store bulk amount of data in a single unit.
Main memory devices are more expensive when compared to the secondary storage devices.	Secondary storage devices are less expensive when compared to the main memory devices.
The examples of main memory are, RAM ROM EPROM PROM Cache memory Registers.	The examples of secondary storage are, Floppy Disks Magnetic tapes Optical Disc Flash memory.