Data in a Computer

To manipulate stored data within a computer system, we must have a way of storing and retrieving it. Data are stored temporarily during processing in random-access memory (RAM). RAM is also referred to as primary storage. Data are stored permanently on secondary storage devices such as magnetic tape and disk drives. We discuss primary storage (RAM) in detail in this chapter, as well as how data are represented electronically in a computer system and on the internal workings of a computer.