CompTIA ITF+ Practice Test

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a type of volatile memory that temporarily holds data for quick access while a computer is operating. This includes data that is actively being used by applications, such as the files you are currently working on and the application code that is running. When an application is opened, its data is loaded from the storage drive (like a hard disk or SSD) into RAM, allowing for faster access and processing.

RAM is not designed for permanent storage, which is why options referring to permanently stored files or backup data are not applicable. Such data is typically kept on storage devices like hard drives or SSDs that retain information even when the power is turned off. Although the operating system code can reside in RAM while the system is running, it does not represent the primary function of RAM as it pertains to actively used application data during a session. Thus, the correct answer highlights the main purpose of RAM, focusing on its role in holding data that is currently in use by applications.