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One common useage of ROMs are in data files for video game cartridges emulation (often a violation of copyright or sui generis mask work rights unless your jurisdiction has a fair use protection).
Modern semiconductor ROMs typically take the shape of IC packages, i.e. "computer chips", not immediately distinguishable from other chips like RAMs but for the text printed on the chips. Many microcontrollers consist of a ROM part in addition to a CPU core, some on-board peripherals, and RAM. Home computers of the early 1980s came with their complete operating systemIn computing, an operating system OS is the system software responsible for the direct control and management of hardware and basic system operations, as well as running application software such as word processing programs and web browsers. In general, t in ROM, often including a BASIC programming languageBASIC is a family of high-level programming languages. Originally devised as an easy-to-use tool, it became widespread on home microcomputers in the 1980s, and remains popular to this day in a handful of heavily evolved dialects. BASIC's name, coined in c interpreterAn interpreter is a computer program that executes other programs. This is in contrast to a compiler which does not execute its input program (the source code) but translates it into executable machine code (also called object code) which is output to a f. There was no reasonable alternative because floppy diskA floppy disk is a data storage device that comprises a circular piece of thin, flexible (hence "floppy") magnetic storage medium encased in a square or rectangular plastic wallet. Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive or FDD not to be drives were generally optional. Upgrading to a newer version meant using either a soldering ironA soldering iron is a device for applying a point source of heat to melt solder for soldering two materials together. Soldering irons are typically electrically powered. Small cordless soldering irons are available for fine electronics work. Some are not or a set of DIPIn electronics, a Dual In-line Package (DIP sometimes called a DIL package, is an electronic device package with a rectangular housing and a row of electrical connecting pins along each of two opposite sides, usually the longer sides of the rectangle. sockets and replacing the old ROM chip with a new one.
Video game consoleA video game console is a dedicated electronic device designed to play video games. Often the output device is a separate television or a computer monitor. Once, video game consoles were easily distinguishable from personal computers: consoles used a stans that use ROM based software include the Super FamicomSNES, though the controllers are almost the same. The console is similar to the European SNES. Super Famicom ( Japanese:) was a videogame console released by Nintendo in Japan. For information about the North American and European versions of this console, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (North American and European versions of the Super Famicom), the Magnavox Odyssey˛, and the Game Gear. Such ROMs are sealed into plastic cases suitable for handling and repeated insertion, known as cartridges or "carts" (called "Game Paks" by Nintendo). Many home computers also used ROM cartridges for distributing games and other types of software.There is a trend to put less and less software into static ROMs, and more on disk storage, making changes easier. By the 2000s, operating systems for desktop computers are not generally on ROM anymore. Computers may still rely on some software in ROMs, like their BIOS, but even that is more likely to reside on a Flash-ROM (see below). Mobile phones and personal digital assistants are likely to have software in ROM (or at least flash memory).
One reason why some data still sits in ROMs is speed – disks are an order of magnitude slower. Even more important, though, is that you cannot read software that is needed to drive a disk from the disk itself – see bootstrap. Hence the BIOS or a bootloader for a computer is often stored in ROM. Also, a networking or graphics card may implement some basic functionality through software contained on a ROM chip. Another application for ROMs is in storing software for embedded systems operating in physically demanding environments (exposed to, say, vibration, or high acceleration), where rotating media like disks are more vulnerable. A form of pre-semiconductor ROM technology is found in the core rope, which was used in the Apollo spacecraft computers.
Classic mask-programmed ROM chips are written to during production and cannot change content afterwards. But there are other types of non-volatile solid-state memory:
Although this has varied over time, today, large RAMs can be read faster than most large ROMs, therefore ROM content that is used often is sometimes copied to RAM (shadowed).
By applying write protection, read/write memory may be turned (temporarily) into read-only memory.
A CD-ROM isn't a form of ROM in the traditional sense, but rather a kind of compact disk. A CD-ROM is Read Only, hence the name, while CD-R is Write-Once-Read-Many, and CD-RW is Read/Write.
ROM is also the name of a toy and comic book character (ROM Spaceknight).
Computer memory Digital electronics