What does non-volatile mean?

Non-volatile refers to a type of memory that retains its data even when the power supply is turned off. This characteristic is crucial in various applications where data needs to be preserved long-term, such as in hard drives, solid-state drives, and flash memory. When power is lost, non-volatile memory ensures that the stored information remains intact, allowing users to access the same data upon restarting their devices.

In contrast, other types of memory, such as volatile memory, require continuous power to maintain the stored data. Understanding this distinction helps clarify how digital devices store and manage information, emphasizing the importance of non-volatile memory in ensuring data integrity and availability.