A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

Which memory type is often written to in a limited way and includes variants like PROM and EPROM?

1. Cache Memory

2. Read Only Memory (ROM)

3. Virtual Memory

4. Random Access Memory (RAM)

The correct answer is: Read Only Memory (ROM)

The selected answer is indeed the most fitting choice because Read Only Memory (ROM) is specifically designed for permanent data storage that is not intended to be modified frequently. ROM holds firmware or software that is tightly integrated because it needs to retain its state even when the power is turned off. Variations of ROM, such as PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) and EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), exemplify how ROM can be written to a limited number of times. PROM can be programmed only once after manufacturing, while EPROM can be erased and reprogrammed multiple times, but still has a limit on the number of times it can be rewritten compared to other volatile memory types, like RAM. Cache memory, while it is a high-speed access type of memory that stores copies of frequently accessed data, is not written to in a limited way in the same context as ROM. Virtual memory is a technique that allows the execution of processes that may not be entirely in RAM, but it does not describe a memory type that relates to limited writes. Random Access Memory (RAM) is designed for frequent writing and erasing data dynamically, thus contrasting with the limited write capability of ROM. Thus, focusing on the limited