What is nonvolatile memory? - Definition from Whatis.com

Definition

nonvolatile memory

Also see our Fast Guide to RAM.

Nonvolatile memory is a general term for all forms of solid state (no moving parts) memory that do not need to have their memory contents periodically refreshed. This includes all forms of read-only memory (ROM) such as programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory. It also includes random access memory (RAM) that is powered with a battery.

This was last updated in November 1998

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