What is the need for secondary memory?
Primary memory has limited storage capacity and is volatile, meaning it loses data when the power is turned off. Therefore, a computer system needs secondary memory to permanently store data or instructions for future use.
Secondary memory is non-volatile and has a larger storage capacity than primary memory. It serves as an auxiliary storage to keep data and programs safe for long-term use, even though it cannot be accessed directly by the CPU.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the section 'Secondary Memory' in the provided text. It explains that primary memory is limited and volatile (RAM), creating a need for secondary memory to store data permanently. The text highlights that secondary memory is non-volatile, has larger capacity, and acts as auxiliary storage for future use, which addresses the 'need' aspect of the question.