What is RAM and why is it important when working with software?

Answer 1

Read the second paragraph for the simple answer

Think of it like this, your computer does projects for you rather it be going on the internet, running a program or whatever you may use it for. Your computer completing these projects can be compared to a library, your hardrive can be compared to the many bookshelves in the library that hold information. The CPU or "brains" of the computer is like a person who goes through the bookshelves to find whats needed and works with it. RAM is like a table at the library where the person would have all the books laid out that they are working on, now of course the CPU would be a lot better at this and could work on many items or "books" at once. The size of the RAM can be compared to the table and having a small coffee table compared to a huge dinner table to hold all the things you are working on is the difference on how much and fast things can get done at once.

Basically RAM is how a computer knows and holds what is is currently working with.

Answer 2

It is important because the more you have the faster applications will load on a computer

for example if a computer with 512 megabytes of ram tries to load iTunes it will take close to a minute but if a computer has 2 gigabytes or more of ram it will load instantly
RAM is important, because without it you would not be able to run any applications on the desktop such as word processors or any type of simple application and you would not be able to use the internet without it.

Answer 3

I think it just helps keep extra storage in place.