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Answer» Main memory: Main memory in a computer is RAM (Random ACCESS Memory). It is also known as primary memory or read-write memory or internal memory. The programs and data that the CPU requires during the execution of a program are stored in this memory.
Secondary memory: Secondary memory in a computer are storage devices that can store data and programs. It is also known as external memory or additional memory or backup memory or auxiliary memory. Such storage devices are capable of storing high-volume data. Storage devices can be hard drives, USB flash drives, CDs, ETC. | Primary Memory | Secondary Memory |
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| Data can be directly accessed by the processing unit. | Firstly, data is transferred to primary memory and after then routed to the processing unit. | | It can be both volatile and non-volatile in nature. | It is non-volatile in nature. | | It is more costly than secondary memory. | It is more cost-effective or less costly than primary memory. | | It is temporary because data is stored temporarily. | It is PERMANENT because data is stored permanently. | | In this memory, data can be lost whenever there is a power failure. | In this memory, data is stored permanently and therefore cannot be lost even in case of power failure. | | It is MUCH faster than secondary memory and saves data that is currently used by the computer. | It is slower as compared to primary memory and saves different kinds of data in different formats. | | It can be accessed by data. | It can be accessed by I/O channels. |
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