Question

Contrast the differences between volatile and non-volatile storage. (it’s more than just about when the computer loses power)

Answer 1

Given, Asked to give difference between volatile and non-volatile memory.

Explanation: A volatile memory is type of memory which holds the data temporarily and stores the data until power source is connected to it. For example RAM(Random Access Memory), cache memory. These memory are very fast and effective.

A Non-volatile memory is another type of memory which holds the data permanently inside the storage medium. This storage device can keep the data even after the power source is not available once written. For example: Flash drive, Hard Disk,etc.

Difference between Volatile and Non-volatile memory are:

1. Volatile memory stores the data temporarily whereas, non-volatile memory stores the data permanently. Volatile requires constant power supply to hold the data and non-volatile only requires power supp;y when we read or write, once written the data will be permanent.

2. Volatile memory is used where the speed and efficiency is measure with processor. These memory hold the currently executing program for the processor and required to be fast and optimal. Whereas, Non-volatile memory are used for fixed block storage where once written can be used multiple times and may not need to be altered. A BIOS memory is one such good example where once the information stored we don't want to change the data. The data which has to be stored permanently comes under non-volatile category.

3. A volatile memory gives a very high performance in terms of speed, whereas, the non-volatile memory can't be used to hold such data which requires very fast data read write and therefore can't be used in such places. A volatile memory holds very less space but very fast, but a non-volatile memory hold very high space and low speed data transfer.

4. Volatile memories are the fasted memories that is why we used these memory along side to the processor to access the currently used program to be stored. Whereas, a non-volatile memory is relatively slow when compared to volatile memory and therefore can't be used for the purpose of effective read write synchronization along side processor or any high speed device.

5. Examples of volatile memories are RAM(Random Access Memory), Cache, etc. Examples for Non-volatile memories are Storage drives, Flash drives and Optical Compact Disk.

I hope these many difference are enough to understand the difference between volatile and non- volatile memory.

Please let me know if you need more help in this.