# volatile memory

> computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information; needs constant power in order to prevent data from being erased

**Wikidata**: [Q496533](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q496533)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_memory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/volatile-memory

## Summary
Volatile memory is computer memory that requires constant power to maintain stored information; without power, the data is erased. It is a type of computer memory that loses its contents when power is turned off.

## Key Facts
- Volatile memory requires constant power to prevent data from being erased
- It is classified as a type of computer memory
- Volatile memory is the opposite of non-volatile memory
- It is also known as volatile storage or temporary memory
- The concept is documented in multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, and Spanish
- It has a foldoc_id of "volatile+memory" and an iev_number of 171-04-31
- The entity has a sitelink count of 25 across various language Wikipedias

## FAQs
### Q: What happens to data in volatile memory when power is lost?
A: Data stored in volatile memory is erased when power is lost because volatile memory requires constant power to maintain the stored information.

### Q: How is volatile memory different from non-volatile memory?
A: Volatile memory requires constant power to retain data and loses information when powered off, while non-volatile memory can retain data without power.

### Q: What are some examples of volatile memory?
A: Examples of volatile memory include RAM (Random Access Memory), CPU cache, and video memory, all of which require power to maintain stored data.

## Why It Matters
Volatile memory is fundamental to how computers operate, serving as the working memory where active programs and data are temporarily stored during use. Without volatile memory, computers would be unable to run applications or process information in real-time, as they would lack the temporary storage space needed for active operations. This type of memory enables the fast read and write speeds necessary for computing tasks, allowing processors to quickly access and manipulate data. While volatile memory's temporary nature might seem like a limitation, it's actually an essential characteristic that enables the dynamic, flexible computing environment we rely on today. The distinction between volatile and non-volatile memory also drives computer architecture design, influencing everything from hardware specifications to software optimization strategies.

## Notable For
- Requires constant power to maintain stored information, distinguishing it from permanent storage solutions
- Serves as the primary working memory in computing systems, enabling real-time processing
- Has multiple standardized identifiers across technical documentation systems (foldoc_id, iev_number, metasat_id)
- Documented across 9 different language Wikipedias, indicating global technical relevance
- Classified as opposite to non-volatile memory, establishing a fundamental dichotomy in computer memory types

## Body
### Classification and Relationships
Volatile memory is classified as a type of computer memory, which is defined as a physical device used to store information for immediate use in digital electronic devices. It falls under broader categories including semiconductor memory and random-access memory. The entity has a specific relationship with non-volatile memory, being described as its opposite.

### Technical Identifiers
The concept of volatile memory is recognized across multiple technical documentation systems. It has a foldoc_id of "volatile+memory" in the Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing, an iev_number of 171-04-31 in the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary, and a metasat_id of "volatileMemory" in the MetaSat standardization project.

### Multilingual Documentation
Volatile memory is documented across multiple language versions of Wikipedia, including Arabic (ar), Bulgarian (bg), Central Kurdish (ckb), English (en), Spanish (es), Estonian (et), Basque (eu), Persian (fa), Finnish (fi), and French (fr). This multilingual presence indicates its fundamental importance in computing technology worldwide.

### Alternative Names
The entity is known by several alternative names and aliases, including volatile storage, temporary memory, and various translations in different writing systems such as Japanese (揮発メモリ), Chinese (非永久性存储器, 易失性内存), and Arabic (ذاكرة متلاشية).

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "volatile memory",
  "description": "computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information; needs constant power in order to prevent data from being erased",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456789",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_memory"
  ],
  "additionalType": "computer memory"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora