From David Bolton,
Your Guide to C / C++ / C#.
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Definition: RAM is computer memory that holds instructions and data. When the computer is switched off, the contents of the RAM are lost. It's just like a calculator- switch that off and you lose the contents.

There is also memory that doesn't lose its contents when the power is switched off. That's ROM.

Glossary:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Also Known As: Random Access Memory

Examples: I've just had an extra Gigabyte of RAM added to my computer