← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

RAM and storage compared

RAM holds what you are using now and is wiped when the power goes off. Storage keeps files for later. RAM is like a desk, storage is like a cupboard.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 9, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 16

Understanding RAM and storage compared in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The arrow shows the file being copied from storage into RAM when you open it. The original stays in storage. RAM is wiped when the power goes off, but storage keeps its files. This is how you can tell the two apart. A desk holds the things you are working on now. RAM does the same job for the computer.

Common mistakes: When you open a file, a copy goes into RAM and you work on that copy there. The line should be: edit the copy in RAM. RAM is like a desk, where you keep what you are using now. A cupboard is the picture for storage. The line should be: RAM = desk for work now.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 5–26) and word search (Modules 5–43).

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Learning
Duo
You switch off a computer without saving. What happens to the work in RAM?
It is wiped and lostIt stays in RAM until next time
Matches
power off: RAM keeps my files for later
↓
RAM does not keep files when the power goes off. It is wiped. Storage is what keeps files for later.
Applying
Meanings
Term
RAM vs storage
Meaning
RAM holds what you are using now and is wiped when the power goes off. Storage keeps files for later. RAM is like a desk, storage is like a cupboard.
Practice
COPY file FROM storage TO RAM
Testing
Gaps
RAM is
Check Answer
Spots
2copy file from storage to RAM
3edit the copy in storage

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Quick Questions

1. You switch off a computer without saving. What happens to the work in RAM?
A. It is wiped and lost ✓
B. It stays in RAM until next time
RAM is wiped when the power goes off. This is the power-off test: if it vanishes, it was in RAM only.
2. Which one keeps your files for later, even when the power is off?
A. RAM
B. Storage ✓
Storage, like a cupboard, keeps files safe when the power is off. RAM forgets everything.
3. Which one is like a desk, holding what you are using right now?
A. RAM ✓
B. Storage
A desk holds the things you are working on now. RAM does the same job for the computer.
4. You double-click a game file to open it. What happens first?
A. The file is copied from storage into RAM ✓
B. The file is moved out of storage and deleted
Opening a file copies it into RAM so the computer can use it quickly. The original stays safe in storage.
5. You type a story but the power cuts out before you press Save. What is true?
A. Your work is safe because it was in RAM
B. Your unsaved work is lost ✓
Unsaved work only lives in RAM. When the power goes off, RAM is wiped. Saving copies it to storage.

Match the Pairs

RAM = desk → RAM holds what you are using right now, and it is wiped when the power goes off
storage = cupboard → Storage keeps your files for later, even when the power is off
To open a file, the computer copies it from storage into RAM so you can work on it → open("story.doc"): storage -> RAM
The power-off test: after the power goes off, RAM is empty but storage still has its files → power off: RAM = empty, storage = files kept
power off: RAM keeps my files for later → RAM does not keep files when the power goes off. It is wiped. Storage is what keeps files for later.
Power cut before saving: unsaved work is still safe in RAM → Unsaved work lives only in RAM, so it is lost when the power cuts out. You must save it to storage first.

Key Term

RAM vs storage
RAM holds what you are using now and is wiped when the power goes off. Storage keeps files for later. RAM is like a desk, storage is like a cupboard.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF power is off THEN RAM is wiped
Hint: Type what happens to everything held in RAM when the power goes off.
2. Files for later are kept in storage
Hint: Type the part that keeps your files safe for later, even with the power off.
3. COPY file FROM storage TO RAM
Hint: Type the part the file is copied into so the computer can use it now.
4. IF power is off AND file not saved THEN work is lost
Hint: Type what happens to unsaved work when the power goes off.
5. RAM is like a desk, storage is a cupboard
Hint: Type the piece of furniture that matches RAM, where you work on things right now.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A open homework.doc
B copy file from storage to RAM
C edit the copy in storage
D save to storage
Line C — When you open a file, a copy goes into RAM and you work on that copy there. The line should be: edit the copy in RAM.
Question 2
A RAM = cupboard for work now
B storage = cupboard for files
C power off -> RAM is wiped
Line A — RAM is like a desk, where you keep what you are using now. A cupboard is the picture for storage. The line should be: RAM = desk for work now.
Question 3
A type story, do not save
B power goes off, RAM keeps it
C story is lost
Line B — RAM is wiped when the power goes off, so unsaved work is lost. The line should be: power goes off, RAM is wiped.
Question 4
A storage holds photos
B turn the tablet off
C photos are wiped from storage
Line C — Storage keeps files even when the power is off, so the photos are still there. The line should be: photos are still in storage.
Question 5
A click game icon
B copy game from storage to RAM
C CPU runs the game from RAM
D power off: RAM keeps the game
Line D — RAM is wiped when the power goes off, so it cannot keep the game. The game is still saved in storage. The line should be: power off: RAM is wiped.

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