When we refer to Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), we are generally referring to the specific small chip on the motherboard of a device that is programmed with the instructions that start the device up. Software that is rarely changed in its lifetime is known as firmware.

ROM, unlike RAM, is not volatile.

You can actually program your ROM. This process is called “flashing” the ROM (in fact another term for ROM is “flash memory”). It is not something to undertake lightly as a mistake will render your device inoperable. Technically, the description “read-only” is incorrect as you can write to ROM. To learn more about this, Google EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).