What is the purpose of non-volatile memory in computing?

Non-volatile memory serves the crucial purpose of retaining data even when the power is turned off. This characteristic is fundamental for various computing tasks where it is necessary to preserve information across sessions. For example, non-volatile memory is widely used in devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and flash memory, allowing users to save documents and files that remain accessible after powering down the device.

In contrast, other types of memory, such as volatile memory (like RAM), lose their contents when power is lost, making them unsuitable for long-term data storage. Additionally, while some memory types may enhance processing speed or contribute to the overall size of RAM, these functions do not apply specifically to non-volatile memory. The primary role of non-volatile memory is its ability to provide persistent data storage, ensuring that critical information is not lost during power interruptions.