Which memory is non-volatile?

The question asks to identify which type of memory is non-volatile. Memory can be broadly categorized into volatile and non-volatile. Volatile memory requires power to maintain the stored information, losing its contents when power is removed. Non-volatile memory, conversely, retains its stored information even when not powered.

The correct answer is ROM (Read-Only Memory). ROM is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices. It stores firmware, such as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which is essential for booting up the computer and performing basic hardware initialization. The data stored in ROM is permanent and does not disappear when the power is turned off.

• RAM (Random Access Memory) is incorrect because it is volatile memory. It serves as the computer's main working memory, holding data and programs currently in use, but all its contents are lost when the computer is powered down.
• Cache memory is incorrect. It is a small, very fast, volatile memory that stores frequently accessed data for the CPU, improving performance. Its contents are lost without power.
• Registers are incorrect. These are tiny, extremely fast storage locations directly within the CPU, used to hold data that the CPU is actively processing. They are volatile and lose their data when power is removed.