Which component stores data and programs that are actively being used by the processor and can be quickly changed?

Which component stores data and programs that are actively being used by the processor and can be quickly changed?

• A. Motherboard
• B. Embedded System
• C. Main Memory
• D. Network

Answer: (C)

Main memory, or RAM, is where data and instructions that the CPU is actively using are stored. It’s designed for rapid read and write access, so the processor can quickly fetch what it needs and update it as calculations proceed. This volatility and speed make RAM the ideal place to hold the operating system, running programs, and their data while the computer is on. The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all components; it doesn’t itself store active data. An embedded system is a specialized computer inside another device, not the general-purpose memory component. A network refers to interconnected devices and communication, not a memory resource.

Main memory, or RAM, is where data and instructions that the CPU is actively using are stored. It’s designed for rapid read and write access, so the processor can quickly fetch what it needs and update it as calculations proceed. This volatility and speed make RAM the ideal place to hold the operating system, running programs, and their data while the computer is on.

The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all components; it doesn’t itself store active data. An embedded system is a specialized computer inside another device, not the general-purpose memory component. A network refers to interconnected devices and communication, not a memory resource.