Which of the following is not an Auxiliary memory?
VerifiedAnswer: (Not provided)
Explanation:
To answer this question correctly, we need to understand the difference between primary memory and auxiliary memory in computer systems. This fundamental concept helps us identify which storage devices belong to each category.
Primary memory, also known as main memory, refers to the storage that the CPU can directly access. It includes Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM). These memory types are volatile (in case of RAM) or non-volatile (in case of ROM), but they are directly connected to the processor and can be accessed immediately without any mechanical movement.
Auxiliary memory, on the other hand, is also called secondary storage or external storage. This type of memory cannot be directly accessed by the CPU and requires input/output operations to transfer data to primary memory first. Examples of auxiliary memory include:
• Hard Disk Drives (HDD) • Solid State Drives (SSD) • Optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray) • Magnetic tapes • USB flash drives • Memory cards • External hard drives
The key characteristics that distinguish auxiliary memory from primary memory are storage capacity, access speed, and cost. Auxiliary memory typically offers much larger storage capacity at a lower cost per unit, but with slower access speeds compared to primary memory.
When examining the given options in such questions, you should look for components that fall under primary memory category. The most common answer would be RAM (Random Access Memory), as it serves as the main working memory where the processor stores data and instructions that are currently being used. RAM is directly accessible by the CPU and does not require any mechanical parts for data retrieval.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for computer science students as it forms the foundation for comprehending how computer systems manage and organize data storage efficiently across different levels of memory hierarchy.
