Read-Only Memory
<storage> (ROM) A type of data storage device which is manufactured with fixed contents.
In its most general sense, the term might be used for any storage system whose contents cannot be altered, such as a gramophone record or a printed book; however, the term is most often applied to
semiconductor integrated circuit memories, of which there are several types, and
CD-ROM.
ROM is inherently
non-volatile storage - it retains its contents even when the power is switched off, in contrast to
RAM.
ROM is often used to hold programs for
embedded systems since these usually have a fixed purpose.
ROM is also used for storage of the lowest level
bootstrap software (firmware) in a computer.
See also
Programmable Read-Only Memory.
