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Primary storage refers to the area in a computer where data is stored temporarily and is directly accessible by the CPU. This type of storage is essential for processing data and executing applications quickly. RAM (Random Access Memory) is classified as primary storage because it holds data and instructions that the CPU needs currently or in the near term.
When an application is running, it is loaded from secondary storage (like hard drives or SSDs) into RAM so that it can be executed, which is why faster and volatile storage like RAM is crucial for performance. The data in RAM is volatile, meaning that it is lost when the power is turned off, which is characteristic of primary storage.
In contrast, options like USB Flash Drives, Hard Drives, and External SSDs are categorized as secondary storage because they are used to store data persistently, allowing the data to be retained even when power is lost. These forms of storage are generally slower than primary storage, like RAM, as they are not directly accessed by the CPU in the same way. Thus, RAM stands out as the quintessential example of primary storage.