Main memory, also known as primary storage, is where executables and data needed to run programs are stored and accessed by the CPU via the front side bus. It is volatile, but nonvolatile components like BIOS help boot the computer. Main memory constantly indexes data to keep it up-to-date.
In the world of computing, main memory is the addressable program memory that houses the executables and data needed to boot and run various systems and programs. More commonly referred to as primary memory or storage, main memory interfaces directly with the CPU, which reads instructions attached to executables and performs tasks necessary to manage the data. All data necessary for the programs saved on the hard drive to function effectively is kept in main memory.
In most cases today, the main storage and the CPU communicate via the so-called front side bus. This type of bus actually consists of two specialized buses that help read both data and addresses that are housed in main memory. The front side bus extracts the instructions needed to run programs and provides the CPU with the location or address of the executables on the hard drive. The CPU can then read and write data for itself and proceed to start the necessary tasks.
It is important to note that in most cases today main memory is considered to have volatile memory. This means that random access memory is cleared on startup. To address this problem, many systems use a nonvolatile main memory or storage component, such as the BIOS, to effectively boot the computer. Bootstrapping simply means reading a larger program from secondary memory and loading it into RAM in primary or main memory. From there, the buses can initiate communication with the CPU and complete the launch sequence.
As part of the ongoing process, main memory is constantly reading and indexing data, effectively rewriting it for future use. This constant interaction helps keep data up-to-date and prevents data from disappearing from main memory during the use of various functions and programs that are engaged in the computer system.
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