Memory
The memory is passive, storing programs and data
Memory is called RAM for “random access memory” because the control can access any random location in the memory
RAM is volatile, meaning it disappears when the power is turned off … how does the computer remember the date?
Programs and data are also stored on floppy disks and hard disks, which are nonvolatile
For the control to execute (run) a program, it must be stored in the RAM. So, one operating system duty is to move programs & data from the disk to the RAM