ROM

ROM, acronym for read-only memory. In computer science, semiconductor-based memory that contains instructions or data that can be read but not modified. To create a ROM chip, the designer supplies a semiconductor manufacturer with the instructions or data to be stored; the manufacturer then produces one or more chips containing those instructions or data. Because creating ROM chips involves a manufacturing process, it is economically viable only if the ROM chips are produced in large quantities; experimental designs or small volumes are best handled using PROM or EPROM. In general usage, the term ROM often means any read-only device, including PROM and EPROM. See also Computer.