volatile

Part of the TechTarget Network of Enterprise IT Web Sites

Search our IT-specific encyclopedia for:
 
Browse alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
All Categories Microprocessors

volatile

In general, volatile (from the Latin "volatilis" meaning "to fly")is an adjective used to describe something unstable or changeable.

In computers, volatile is used to describe memory content that is lost when the power is interrupted or switched off. Your computer's ordinary memory (or RAM ) is volatile memory.

Volatile memory contrasts with nonvolatile memory , memory that does not lose content when power is lost, that has a continuous source of power, or does not need to have its memory content periodically refreshed.



This word suggested by: Tomas Malcanek
Last updated on: Mar 17, 2008

>  Enterprise Software related Research & News
>  White Papers for the Retail Industry

Are you a Know-IT-All?
What do you call the unused portions of the radio frequency spectrum?
a. white space
b. surplus space
Answer

word of the day Get the Word of the Day
twitter Follow us on Twitter

WORD OF THE DAY...
single stream 802.11n
LEARN MORE ABOUT...
802 Wireless Standards
Wireless LAN glossary
Awards and Recognition
Our 60+ tech-specific sites
WhatIs.com RSS Feeds
About Us   |   Contact Us   |   For Advertisers   |   For Business Partners   |   Reprints   |   RSS   |   Awards
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts